Archive - News from the Department of Surgery

A great big Thank you! to General Surgery Resident Timothy Abston, MD, who has very generously
donated his meal card funds to purchase toys for the Trauma Toy Chest, helping to stock up for the injured children in
South Texas. Started in 2008 by surgery residents, the Trauma Toy Chest provides soft fuzzy new stuffed animals for our smallest
patients, providing a distraction from the frequently unpleasant
medical procedures they must go through. If you'd like to contribute to the Trauma Toy Chest and help us keep it full for our little
patients,
please click here to go to our online
donation site.
(6-25-14)

South Texas and San Antonio are planning to celebrate the San Antonio Spurs 5th NBA Championship today June 18th, and the Department
of Surgery will start the celebrations with our own faculty and staff! Many Surgery employees gathered for a group Spurs gear photo
Wednesday morning, as part of the preparation for the city's big Spurs Celebration parade at 8 p.m. Wednesday June 18th. The parade
starts at the Arneson Theater and on to the Alamodome for the main event at 10 p.m.
(6-18-14)

Lillian Liao, MD, Trauma physician, talks with Fox News Focus on South Texas — Local physicians working to prevent heat stroke in
our children: According to Safe Kids Worldwide, heatstroke is the leading cause
of non-crash vehicle-related deaths for children. Health teams and providers are meeting to talk about preventing needless child deaths in
San Antonio and South Texas, and educating our health providers and the public about the dangers — a newborn left in a hot car can suffer fatal damage in about 5 minutes.See video, read story on Fox 29 |
UT Trauma |
More about Dr. Liao
(6-11-14)

UT Transplant surgeons featured in Austin's MD News: Since the first liver transplant at the University
Transplant Center 22 years ago, our transplant programs have continued to evolve. "We built a program that followed
a structured progression to introduce liver transplant capabilities to University Health System and have since
performed more than 1,000 liver transplants," says Glenn Halff, MD, Director of the University Transplant Center
and Professor of Surgery at UT Medicine.
Read story in Austin MD News, April 2014 |
UT Transplant Center
(6-10-14)

CDC's Heads Up app helps parents and others learn to spot hte signs and symptoms of a concussion and
explains what to do if they think their child or teen has a concussion or other serious brain
injury. This app will also teach you about helmet safety and features information on selecting the right helmet for your
child's or teen's activity, including information on what to look for and what to avoid. The
app is availble through the Apple App Store and Google play.Visit the CDC website's Injury Prevention & Control page |
Department of Surgery Trauma Division
(6-10-14)

Surgery is an option to control diabetes: Richard M. Peterson, MD, Medical Director, Christus Weight Loss Institute at Westover Hills, interviewed by News 4 WOAI San Antonio's
Randy Beamer about surgery as a means to control or even eliminate type 2 diabetes. Not a guaranteed 'cure', weight loss surgery has been shown
to have a positive impact on patients with diabetes. Generally speaking, a body mass index of more than 35 with diabetes will qualify
the patient for one of three effective weight loss surgeries - gastric bypass, gastric band, and sleeve gastrectomy.Watch WOAI News4 video
| More about Dr. Peterson |
Visit UT Weight Loss website |
Visit CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Weight Loss Institute website
(6-3-14)

2014 University Health System Medical Miracle Honoree cared for by Dan Dent, MD, Professor of Trauma Surgery:
In February of 2012, San Antonio Police Department officer Jonathan Esquivel was hit by a pickup truck while working a
traffic accident on 410. A primary member of his trauma surgical team was Dr. Dan Dent. Esquivel had suffered a
brain injury, broken ribs, shattered pelvis, shoulder, neck and other internal injuries. "These doctors are
incredible," said Officer Esquivel. ""hey said themselves, they have never had a patient with the injuries that I had, to the extent that I had.
They had never done that surgery before. They worked a miracle, they deserve this award."
View videoMore about 2014 UHS Medical Miracles Gala |
More about Dr. Dent | UT Division of Trauma and Emergency Surgery.
Pictured right: Jonathan Esquivel and his two young sons, after a long period of healing. Officer Esquivel's wife
waited til his appearance was less scary before they allowed the boys to see their daddy.
(5-20-14)

Congratulations to Lois Killewich, MD, Vascular / Endovascular Surgery, on her appointment to the editorial
board of Rutherford's Vascular Surgery, a state-of-the-art publication on all aspects of vascular
health care, published in association with the Society for Vascular Surgery.
Each edition of this reference manual is extensively revised by many new authors to meet the needs of
surgeons, interventionalists, and vascular medicine specialists.
More about
Dr. Killewich | Division of Vascular / Endovascular Surgery
(5-14-14)

2014 Free AAA screening huge success: Held on Saturday May 10, 121 San Antonians attended this year's
free screening — two aneurysms were found, potentially saving the lives of two San Antonians. AAA is a ballooning of the abdominal aorta, the artery
that carries blood to the lower part of your body. If you missed our free screening opportunity this year, and you are a white male over 60,
you need to be screened. It can, literally, save your life.
Thank you to faculty and staff from the Division of Vascular / Endovascular Surgery who volunteered their skills and time to assist with this event!
Special thank you to our professional Vascular staff - Diane, Vero, Angel, Vanessa, Rachel, and Sue - as well as to Dr. Matthew Sideman, who served as Medical Director of the event.
Dr. Sideman was recently interviewed by Fox San Antonio, alongside former AAA patient, well-known South Texas auto dealer Ken Batchelor.
Click here to view Fox-29 interview |
More about Dr. Sideman |
Division of Vascular / Endovascular Surgery
(5-13-14)

Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD, Chief of UT Surgical Oncology / Endocrine Surgery,
interviewed by Texas Public Radio:
Dr. Jatoi discussed the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held each December,
which has grown to become the largest gathering of breast cancer experts in the
world. This year's meeting drew more than 8000 attendees. According to Dr.
Jatoi, the growing conference has allowed developing countries to participate in
research in ways that will affect global health.
Read complete article |
More about Dr. Jatoi |
UT Surgical Oncology / Endocrine Surgery
(5-6-14)

SA Scene magazine announces UT Surgeons named to list of San Antonio's Best Doctors for 2014: In the Division of Vascular
/ Endovascular Surgery, Boulos Toursarkissian, MD, Division Chief, Matthew Sideman, MD, and Lori Pounds, MD, were all nominated and
chosen by their peers here in San Antonio. In the Division of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Chairman of the division,
and Lillian Liao, MD, were also selected as Best Doctors for 2014. (4-8-14)

Free AAA Ultrasound Screening - SATURDAY May 10 — Help support early detection of abdominal aorta
aneurysms (AAA). AAA is a ballooning of the abdominal aorta, the artery that supplies blood to the lower
part of your body. AAA can be a life-threatening condition, and research suggests that more than a million people are living
today with an undiagnosed AAA. Please join us on Saturday May 10 from 8 a.m. til noon for a free screening at the
Robert B. Green clinic campus (2nd floor). Thank you to our Vascular faculty and staff for giving of their skills, time,
and their Saturday to assist with this event — Thanks to Angel, Vero, Diane, Vanessa, Rachel, and Sue, as well as
Matthew Sideman, MD, who is serving as medical director for this event. Please note! Pre-registration and FASTING
required for this free scan. Beginning April 15, please call 210-567-5715 for additional information.Download flyer for more information |
More about the Division of Vascular / Endovascular Surgery
(4-1-14)

Lillian Liao, MD, Assistant Professor of Trauma Surgery and Pediatric Trauma Medical Director interviewed on News 4 San Antonio:
Pediatric trauma is the number one cause of death for our children. Dr. Liao discusses when you really need to bring
your child to the ER, services provided by the Pediatric Trauma team at University Hospital, the only certified
pediatric trauma center in South Texas.
View interview on News 4 San Antonio |
More about Dr. Liao |
More about Pediatric Trauma
(3-11-14)

Congratulations to Thelma Hurd, MD, Associate Professor of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery,
whose paper, 'Towards a unified taxonomy of health indicators: Academic health centers and communities working
together to improve population health,' has been e-published in the February 2014 edition of the
journal, Academic Medicine. This national Clinical and Translational Science Award project paper proposes a unified taxonomy of
community heath indicators to enable academic health centers and communities to improve
population health. directly addressing one of three Affordable Care Act components for health improvement.
Pubmed link to paper |
More about Dr. Hurd |
Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery
(3-4-14)

Basil Pruitt, Jr., MD, Professor of Surgery and world-renowned burn surgeon, receives award from Tufts University
School of Medicine: Dr. Pruitt was honored this year as a Distinguished Alumnus. A 1957 graduate of the medical school,
Dr. Pruitt has been called "the father of modern burn care", and over his long career, has witnessed major changes in burn
treatment. The biggest revolution in burn care that Dr. Pruitt had a hand in was the development of a topical cream that prevents
infection in the burn and also prevents the spread of bacteria to other tissues, dramatically increasing burn patient survival
rates. For more than 50 years, Dr. Pruitt has been an innovator in the field of trauma and burn management while caring for thousands of
American soldiers and citizens.
Read announcement in National Trauma Institute news blog
|
Tufts University School of Medicine
Distinguished Alumni |
More about Dr. Pruitt
(2-19-14)

Chew on this — Lifetime effect of food battles: A recent study published
in the journal Pediatrics shone a bright light on food-related parenting strategies
that can mess with a child's relationship with food. Playing 'Food Police' with your children can backfire. Even parents
with the best of intentions can mess up their kids' eating habits, according to Richard M. Peterson, MD, MPH, medical
director of UT Weight Loss and the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Weight Loss Institute at Westover Hills.
"My average patient is about 45 years old, and they're from the generation that was told to clean their plate because
there were starving kids in Africa," said Peterson, who is also a clinical associate professor at the University of
Texas Health Science Center's medical school. "Then they'd be told they couldn't have dessert unless they finished their
food. So in order to eat more of what they wanted, they had to eat more." No wonder so many of these kids grew up to
be overweight adults. This is an interesting article and well worth your time to read, whether you are a parent or one of
the overweight generation from the Clean Your Plate era.
Read article by Richard A. Marini in the Express-News
| More about Dr. Peterson |
Visit UT Weight Loss website |
Visit CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Weight Loss Institute website
(2-11-14)

Congratulations to General Surgery Resident Travis Holloway, MD, and Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology and
Endocrine Surgery, Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD,
whose research manuscript, "Personalized management of breast cancer", has recently been published as an ebook by the Future Science Group, an objective
and authoritative provider of information on medical advances , including scientific, clinical, economic and policy issues confronting modern healthcare
professionals.
Click here to view complete ebook on futuremedicine.com |
More about Dr. Holloway |
More about Dr. Jatoi
(2-5-14)

2014 Texas Burn Survivor Fuego 5K Run/Walk: Please join the physicians and the professional clinical staff
in the Pediatric Burn unit at University Hospital for the
2014 Texas Burn Survivors Society 5K run/walk on Saturday, February 8, 2014! This is a family event for kids as well as the adults.
The Texas Burn Survivor Society provides assistance for
the families of the kids who are being treated in the Pediatric Burn unit. UT Trauma and University Hospital registered a
run team last year and had so much fun they're doing it again this year! Registration fee is $20 and includes a free T-shirt and
breakfast. Jenny Oliver, pediatric trauma manager, is a board member and is facilitating team
signups — Click here to email Jenny for sign-up info!Click here to learn more about the Texas Burn Survivor Society
(1-14-14)

For some, surgery may be key to healthy weight loss:
Losing weight is a frequent New Year's resolution, but if you are obese, losing
weight may not be as simple as just eating less and exercising more. There are
many complex factors that can make it hard for persons with obesity to
lose weight, says Richard Peterson, MD, MPH, FACS. Dr. Peterson directs the
UT Medicine San Antonio Center for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery and
the CHRISTUS Weight Loss Institute – Westover Hills, a collaboration
between UT Medicine and CHRISTUS Santa Rosa. The institute, which opened in 2011, recently reached the milestone
of helping 201 patients lose more than 10,000 pounds.
Read HSC News article |
Visit UT Weight Loss website |
Vist CHRISTUS Weight Loss Institute - Westover Hills |
More about Dr. Peterson
(1-8-14)

Richard M. Peterson, MD, Medical Director, Christus Weight Loss Institute at
Westover Hills, interviewed by News 4 WOAI San Antonio in early January 2014:
Since opening the clinic in 2011, Dr. Peterson has treated more than 200
patients, and their combined weight loss has exeeded over 10,000 pounds!
In the interview, he also discusses his clinic's process for interested patients
to learn more about bariatric surgery and ways in which how surgery might be a
patient's answer to other health problems including diabetes, sleep apnea, high
blood pressure, etc. The Christus Weight Loss Institute offers free seminars to
learn more – please call 438-8446 or visit whyweightsa.org to learn more!
View story on
4 News San Antonio website |
Visit UT Weight Loss website |
More about Dr. Peterson
(1-7-14)

The Department of Surgery and Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Surgery Chairman, are pleased to announce the appointment of
Charles Richart, MD, as Program Director
for our new General Surgery Residency Program in Edinburg. Dr. Richart's
responsibilities will include leadership and administration of the residency
program, oversight of all affiliates, curriculum development and obtaining and
then maintaining ACGME accreditation.
Read complete announcement from Dr. Stewart |
More about our General Surgery Residency Program
(12-26-13)

Congratulations to Wayne Schwesinger, MD, Professor of Surgery, and Kenneth
R. Sirinek, MD, PhD, Professor and Vice Chairman for Academic Affairs and Professional
Development and JB Aust MD, PhD, Chair in Surgery, who have both been selected by their peers for inclusion in
the 2014 Best Doctors in America® database. This group of select physicians includes only the top five percent of
US doctors.
More about Dr. Schwesinger |
More about Dr. Sirinek |
More about Best Doctors®
(12-18-13)

San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) held Dec. 10-14:
Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD, Chief of the Department of Surgery Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, and member of
SABCS Executive Committee, moderated a panel discussion on "Global trends in breast cancer incidence and mortality" at SABCS. Along with important
public health issues, speakers also addressed novel approaches to breast cancer treatment. The SABCS is presented by the Cancer
Therapy and Research Center, The American Association for Cancer Research, and Baylor College of Medicine. For more information on
speakers and topics during this year's SABCS, please visit the SABCS 2013 conference
website. |
Read HSC News article |
More about Dr. Jatoi |
Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery
(12-17-13)

Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD,
Chief of the Department of Surgery Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, was
recently interviewed on Ireland's Highland Radio Shaun Doherty Show regarding DCRA and breast cancer.
Dr. Jatoi's interview was prior to his guest lecture at the Donegal Clinical Research Academy's 3rd Annual
Research Symposium in Donegal, Ireland.
Listen to/watch interview on YouTube |
More about Dr. Jatoi |
Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery
(12-10-13)

Congratulations to Thelma Hurd, MD, Associate Professor of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery,
whose paper, 'Costs and outcomes evaluation of patient navigation after abnormal cancer screening: Evidence
From the Patient Navigation Research Program,' has been e-published in the October 2013 edition of the
journal, Cancer. This is the first paper to report on the cost and outcomes for cancer
screening in the National Patient Navigation Research Program. This study demonstrated only
modest benefit for patient navigation for underserved, high needs populations and has significant
policy implications for patient navigation nationally.
Pubmed link to paper |
More about Dr. Hurd |
Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery
(12-10-13)

In its 92nd year working to improve the care of the injured, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on
Trauma Board of Regents
has announced the appointment of Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Professor and Chairman of
the Department of Surgery, as the next Chair of the Committee on Trauma.
Dr. Stewart has served the Committee
on Trauma (COT) as Chair of the South Texas State Committee on Trauma, followed by a term as Chief of Region 6
(Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Arkansas) and is the Southern Surgical Society's
representative to the American College of Surgeon's Board of Governors. He also serves as the Board Chair of
the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma. In October 2013, Dr. Stewart was
awarded the National Safety Council's Surgeons' Award for Service for Safety.
Dr. Stewart will begin his term as the 19th chairman of the COT at the end of the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Committee on
Trauma.
Overview of the ACS Committee on Trauma |
Read article on National Trauma Institute blog |
Read article in La Prensa San Antonio |
Read story in HSC News |
More about Dr. Stewart
(10-30-13; updated 12-3-13)

The UT Department of Surgery is pleased to announce our participation in the American College of Surgeons (ACS)
Transition to Practice Program (TTP): Led by our chairman, Ronald M. Stewart, MD,
this program is a 6th year of training – participants will obtain enhanced experience in
broad-based general surgery, working with our program partners here
in San Antonio, General Surgical Associates. Co-directors of the program are Kent Van Sickle, MD, Chief of UT General and Minimally
Invasive Surgery, and Russell L. Woodard, MD, General Surgical Associates, a large San Antonio private
practice. For more information on this exciting new
opportunity for surgery residents, please visit our TPP information pageoremail Dr. Stewart.
ACS Transition to Practice Program |
More information on our Transition to Practice Program
(11-20-13)

Congratulations to Kenneth R. Sirinek, MD, PhD, Professor and Vice Chairman for Academic Affairs
and Professional Development for the UT Department of Surgery, who was selected as the 2014 Executive
Committee 2nd Vice President during the November 2013 Annual Meeting, held in Salt Lake City, UT.
More about the Western Surgical Association
| More about Dr. Sirinek
(11-25-13)

Basil Pruitt, Jr., MD, Professor of Surgery and world-renowned burn surgeon, to
speak at 2013 annual meeting of Friends of the P.I. Nixon Medical Historical
Library on November 7: Dr. Pruitt's talk will explore a significant chapter in
San Antonio's history – the treatment innovations developed at the Army Burn
Center that have revolutionized care and improved the survival of massively
burned patients.
Read HSC News article
|
More about Dr. Pruitt
(11-5-13)

In its 92nd year working to improve the care of the injured, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on
Trauma Board of Regents
has announced the appointment of Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Professor and Chairman of
the Department of Surgery, as the next Chair of the Committee on Trauma.
Dr. Stewart has served the Committee
on Trauma (COT) as Chair of the South Texas State Committee on Trauma, followed by a term as Chief of Region 6
(Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Arkansas) and is the Southern Surgical Society's
representative to the American College of Surgeon's Board of Governors. He also serves as the Board Chair of
the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma. In October 2013, Dr. Stewart was
awarded the National Safety Council's Surgeons' Award for Service for Safety.
Dr. Stewart will begin his term as the 19th chairman of the COT at the end of the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Committee on
Trauma.
Overview of the ACS Committee on Trauma |
Read article in La Prensa San Antonio |
Read story in HSC News |
More about Dr. Stewart
(10-30-13; updated 12-3-13)

Congratulations Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Professor and Chairman of the
Department of Surgery, who received the National Safety Council Surgeon's Award for Service to Safety at the recent annual
meeting of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This award is sponsored by the National Safety Council and nominated
by the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma in odd-numbered years, and the Committee on Trauma in even years.
To be eligible for the award, an individual surgeon or surgical organization must make outstanding contributions to
the prevention of accidents, establish or demonstrate methods and results adaptable to other individuals or groups, or
stimulate others to undertake or take part in safety projects or programs. More about Dr. Stewart |
ACS Clinical Congress News, p.10 |
More about the National Safety Council
(10-29-13)

Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Surgery, receives 2013 American College of Surgeons
Ellenberger Award for Excellence in State Advocacy: Created by the American College of Surgeons to honor
Arthur Ellenberger, the award 'recognizes a career of outstanding leadership and distinguished service and commitment to
protecting patients' access to high quality surgical care by their involvement with their state's legislative and
regulatory process.' Dr. Stewart was presenting the award during the 2013 annual meeting of the American College of Surgeons.
More about Dr. Stewart |
(10-22-13)

Thelma Hurd, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Surgical Oncology, research project highlighted by the National Academy of Sciences and
Institute of Medicine: Dr. Hurd's project, 'A logic model for community engagement,' was published
in the August 2013 Institute of Medicine Report: The CTSA Program at NIH: Opportunities for
Advancing Clinical and Translational Research. This model is guiding the development of community
engagement metrics that will be used to assess the impact of academic health care center-community
partnerships on clinical and translational research and community health systems at the local, regional
and national levels. | More about Dr. Hurd
(9-24-13)

Congratulations to Basil Pruitt, MD, Clinical Professor of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, who has been invited to
become an honorary member of the International Society of Surgery:
In April 2013, the Executive Committee of the Swiss-based International Society of Surgery (ISS) voted
unanimously to award a prestigious honorary membership in the ISS to Dr. Pruitt.
In August 2013, an award ceremony will be held during the ISS
International Surgical Week in Helsinki, Finland.
The ISS represents five integrated surgical societies, as well as surgeons from more than 100 countries, with a goal of
international surgical education in developed and developing countries throughout the world.More about Dr. Pruitt |
Division of Trauma and Emergency Surgery |
Learn more about ISS
(8-20-13)

Robert Esterl, MD, Professor of Transplant Surgery, UT Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, selected as recipient of
prestigious 2013 Leonard Tow
Humanism in Medicine Award:
The Arnold P. Gold Foundation sponsors the annual Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award for a
faculty member who best demonstrates the Foundation's ideals of outstanding compassion in the
delivery of care, respect for patients, their families, and healthcare colleagues, as well as
demonstrated clinical excellence. Dr. Esterl also served as the
keynote speaker at the School of Medicine's 2013 Convocation and White Coat Ceremony on Sunday
July 21, 2013.
More about Dr. Esterl |
More about the Leonard
Tow Humanism in Medicine Award |
UT Transplant Center
(7-23-13)

Basil Pruitt, MD, Clinical Professor of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, to speak at American
College of Surgeons (ACS) Centennial celebration in October 2013 in Washington, DC: As part of the Centennial celebration, ACS will pay tribute
to renowned medical illustrator Frank Netter, MD, who passed away in 1991. Dr. Pruitt and William C. DeVries, MD, FACS, cardiothoracic surgeon
from Rockville, MD, will reflect on their experiences working with Dr. Netter.
More about Dr. Pruitt |
Division of Trauma and Emergency Surgery
(7-16-13)

Many thanks to our General Surgery Residents, who once again have given generously to our Trauma Toy Chest: Using their end-of-the-year meal
card money, our residents purchased all the toys pictured to the right for
the Trauma Toy Chest.
Started in 2008 by surgery residents, the Trauma Toy Chest provides soft fuzzy new stuffed animals for our smallest
patients, providing a distraction from the frequently unpleasant
medical procedures they must go through. If you'd like to contribute to the Trauma Toy Chest and help us keep it full for our little
patients,
please click here to go to our online
donation site.
(7-9-13)

American Medical Association — Obesity now recognized as disease:
Richard M. Peterson, MD, MPH, FACS, Director of UT Weight Loss and the UT
Center for Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery, speaks with KSAT-12 regarding the recent American Medical Association (AMA) announcement that obesity will now be
categorized as a disease, rather than a condition. According to Dr. Peterson, obesity is a multi-factorial disease, and this
announcement by the AMA will enable them to more easily treat their obese patients, and patients will receive more funding from
their health insurance providers. This decision opens the doors for patients to seek help and treatment from dietitians, personal trainers, and other
health professionals not previously covered under health policies.
View KSAT story |
Visit UT Weight Loss website |
More about Dr. Peterson
(6-25-13)

Thelma Hurd, MD, Associate Professor of Surgical Oncology & Endocrine Surgery, presents at 11th Annual
Disparities in Health in America: Working Towards Social Justice Meeting in Houston, TX:
Dr. Hurd's presentation topic, 'Building trust in the era of outcomes based health care', was a panel presentation
of initial EMPaCT (Enhancing Minority Participation in Clinical Trials) project for the workshop at MD Anderson
Cancer Center in Houston.
More about Dr. Hurd |
More about the Division of Surgical
Oncology and Endocrine Surgery
(6-25-13)

Fat on the inside even worse than fat on the outside:
In an interview on WOAI Radio, Richard M. Peterson, MD, MPH, FACS, Director of UT Weight Loss and the UT
Center for Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery, discusses the difference between fat on the outside and
fat on the inside of your body. "Though outside fat is unattractive, it's even uglier inside," Dr.
Peterson says, and he knows — he regularly sees how excess fat curls around vital organs and
getting in the way of their functioning.
Read more: WOAI Radio story |
Visit UT Weight Loss website |
More about Dr. Peterson
(6-13-13)

New treatment offered for isolated sarcomas & melanomas:
Alfredo Santillan, MD, MPH, Surgical Oncology & Endocrine Surgery, is providing a new minimally invasive
procedure with a shorter healing time to treat serious arm and leg sarcomas and melanomas. Isolated limb
ischemia (ILI) can reduce the need for limb amputations in some patients. "The results are much
easier on the body," says Dr. Santillan. Still a new treatment, ILI offers many significant
advantages for our patients, and is considered to be a new and improved treatment option. Read HSC news story |
More about Dr. Santillan |
More about the Division of Surgical
Oncology and Endocrine Surgery
(6-12-13)

Kent Van Sickle, MD, appointed chief for General and Laparoendoscopic Surgery:
Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Professor and Chairman of UT Surgery, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kent Van Sickle, MD,
as the new chief of General and Laparoendoscopic Surgery, effective the first of July. Dr. Van Sickle received his medical
degree from the University of Tennessee in 1994 and completed his surgical residency training at
Georgia Baptist Medical Center in Atlanta. Dr. Van Sickle completed a two-year fellowship in Advanced
Laparoscopic and GI Surgery at Emory University. He joined our faculty in 2005 and currently serves as
Associate Professor of Surgery in the Division. Dr. Van Sickle also serves as the Director of the Johnson
Center for Surgical Innovation. He is a leader and innovator in minimally invasive surgery and
simulation. He serves on the Executive Council and is the past President of the Texas Association of
Surgical Skills Laboratories. Dr. Van Sickle has consistently been selected as one of San Antonio's best surgeons by his peers and
his patients. He has admirably served for the past two years as the Surgery Clinic Director at the
MARC.
On behalf of the entire department, Dr. Stewart would like to express his thanks, gratitude and appreciation to
Dr. Wayne Schwesinger for serving as Interim Division Chief for the last three years. More about Dr. Van Sickle |
Division of General & Laparoendoscopic Surgery
(6-5-13)

Please join all of us in Surgery welcoming Brian Perry, MD, as Associate
Program Director for our General Surgery Residency Program.
Dr. Perry received his undergraduate degree from LSU and
his MD from Duke. Following his general surgery training at Wilford Hall Medical Center, he did a
colorectal fellowship at the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans. He brings a wealth of experience in
education as he served in a variety of educational leadership roles at Wilford Hall Medical Center and
the San Antonio Military Medical Center prior to taking the position as the Chief of General Surgery at
Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital. The Department of Surgery and the General Surgery Resident Education Program
would also like to thank Maureen Sheehan, MD, for her past service as
Associate Director of the program.
More about the General Surgery Residency Program |
More about Dr. Perry
(5-29-13)

Press Conference Friday May 24, 2013 — University Health System unveils findings in trauma report:
In 2012 alone, University Hospital saw 4,217 patients who were treated for serious injuries — a 16%
increase over the 2011 patient volume. Additional findings include a 30% increase in pediatric injuries in motor vehicle
accidents, 58% increase in gunshot victims, and a 40% increase in adult motor vehicle injuries with 4% of those
injuries involving substance abuse or no seatbelt. Health officials hope they
can gain some useful insight from the trauma data and prevent future injuries, and help to make our community safer.
Trauma faculty pictured include 2nd from left Dr. John Myers, Chief of UT Trauma and Emergency Surgery; Dr. Lillian Liao, Pediatric Trauma Medical Director, and
Dr. Brian Eastridge, University Hospital Trauma Medical Director.University Health System - read more |
Download 2012 Trauma Report (pdf) |
KENS5 news story, video |
SA Business Journal story |
(5-28-13)

Surgical Oncology chief Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD, discusses Angelina Jolie's preventive mastectomy and the BRAC1 and BRAC2
genetic predisposition for breast and ovarian cancer with KSAT-12:
In an effort to lower her risk of breast cancer, actress & celebrity Angelina Jolie underwent a double
mastectomy and breast reconstruction in February. What might sound quite radical actually is not – Dr. Jatoi
explains the role of genetic testing in preventing breast and ovarian cancer, and presents some of the treatment options available
to women who have one or both of the genetic predisposition markers.
Dr. Jatoi's interview |
Angelina Jolie - In her words |
More about Dr. Jatoi |
UT Surgical Oncology website
(5-15-13)

Fox News - Pediatric trauma surgeons pulling double duty to help prevent more teen car crash deaths:
In the past four months alone, more than ten local teens have died in preventable car crashes. Lillian Liao, MD,
Pediatric Trauma Medical Director, and Brian Eastridge, MD, University Hospital Trauma Director, say
these wrecks are hard even for the surgeons and nurses. Trauma surgeons and emergency medicine physicians are
now working to help prevent more senseless teen accidents through safety programs such as University Health Systems'
'Drive Now, Text L8R'.
Click here to learn more
about this program. |
Read Fox News story, watch video |
Division of Trauma and Emergency Surgery
(5-14-13)

Congratulations to Bruce Adams, MD, and the faculty and staff of what
is now the Department of Emergency Medicine.
Established as a division of the Department of Surgery in 1993, Emergency Medicine
became a Center in the fall of 2012, and has now met all the UTHSCSA, UT System, and
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board reviews, requirements and approvals required to
become a free-standing department.
More about the Department of Emergency Medicine
(5-14-13)

Don't force your kids to 'Clean their plate':
Doctors today are warning parents: don't force kids to clean their plate. In an interview on WOAI Radio, UT Health Science Center's bariatrics
surgeon Richard Peterson, MD, MPH, says that old adage doesn't apply in an obese society.
"You either waste it putting it in a trashcan or you waste it putting it on your waist. If you are putting those calories into your body
and aren't expending them, then you are going to gain weight," says Dr. Peterson. Additionally, kids will learn to ignore signals
from the stomach to stop eating. Kids today
can avoid weight problems
if they quit eating when
the stomach sends the "I'm full" signal.
Read more: WOAI Radio story |
Visit UT Weight Loss website |
More about Dr. Peterson
(4-23-13)

Congratulations to Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Surgery,
who has been named President-Elect of the Southwestern Surgical Congress. SWSC elections were held
during their recent 2013 annual meeting
held in Santa Barbara, CA. Founded in 1948, the Southwestern Surgical Conference
offers educational programs to stimulate and promote the progress of surgery to
general and specialty surgeons in member states.
Read HSC Express news article |
More about Dr. Stewart |
More about Southwestern Surgical Congress
(4-2-13)

Basil Pruitt, MD, Clinical Professor of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, in recent New York Times article:
In October 1973, a 4-year-old
Brooklyn boy was terribly burnt when a man threw acid on his face. At the time,
Dr. Pruitt was head of the US Army Institute for Surgical Research, affiliated with BAMC – the only military hospital dedicated to treating
burn victims. And only the military could deal with this kind of injury. Dr. Pruitt sent a team to pick up the child in New York, and bring him to San
Antonio. He knew immediately that the boy's vision could not be saved, and they began the long and extremely
painful process of rebuilding the child's face.
Even after 40 years, the memories are vivid for Dr. Pruitt. It's an amazing story and well worth a few minutes of your time! —
please
click here to read NY Times articleMore about Dr. Pruitt |
Division of Trauma and Emergency Surgery
(3-5-13)

Congratulations to Lillian Liao, MD, Assistant Professor, Trauma & Emergency Surgery: In February 2013, Dr. Liao
was honored with University Health System's top award for their staff - The Commitment to Excellence award, given to one
staff member who is the best of the best. (Pictured right:
Dr. Liao and General Surgery Resident Pedro Pablo Gomez, MD.)More about Dr. Liao |
Division of Trauma and Emergency Surgery
(2-27-13)

Miguel Fernández, MD, Director, South Texas Poison Center, quoted in
Texas Tribune article: The agency that oversees the state's 911 system and our
poison control centers has too much money — and not enough. The Commission
on State Emergency Communications provides poison control services for the entire
state and 911 services for primarily rural areas; funds are provided by fees paid
by every Texas cell phone owner and wireless service user.
Click here to read the
article in the Texas Tribune.
(2-26-13)Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD, Chief of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, invited
speaker at international breast cancer conference: Dr. Jatoi spoke on
'Breast conserving therapy - Indications, margins and modern aspects,' at
the American University of Beirut Breast Cancer Conference in Beirut,
Lebanon in February. The conference was held in collaboratiojn with the Lebanese
Society of General Surgery, the American College of Surgeons - Lebanese Chapter, and the
Lebanese Society of Radiation Oncology.
Visit UT Surgical Oncology website |
More about Dr. Jatoi
(12-19-12)

Boyce Oliver, Jr., MD, attends ACGME site visit:
Dr. Oliver, Professor of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, attended
the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) visit
on February 11, 2013. ACGME site visits are intended to be collegial and education
experiences for programs and sponsoring institutions, as well as to be
helpful to program directors.
More about Dr. Oliver |
(12-19-12)

Congratulations to Kenneth M. Hargreaves, DDS, PhD, Professor and Chair of the Department of
Endodontics, Dental School and Professor of Pharmacology, Physiology and Surgery in the School of
Medicine, and cross-appointed in surgery research: Dr. Hargreaves has been chosen as this year's
Presidential Award Distinguished Senior Research Scholar. Among other projects, Dr. Hargreaves and
his research team have discovered pain-causing compounds and are developing a new class of
nonaddictive painkillers.
More about Dr. Hargreaves and
his research
(2-12-13)

Congratulations to Bob Esterl, MD, Transplant, who has returned to the
School of Medicine Dean's Office as Interim Associate Dean for Undergraduate
Medical Education:
Dr. Esterl's initial focus will be leadership
and direction of the School of Medicine's Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
accreditation response and ensuring SACS compliance. He will also take a lead role in
crafting the Medical Student Performance Evaluation and shepherding graduating students through the Match.
More about Dr. Esterl (1-22-13)

Carmen Jiminez, South Texas Poison Center Educator, passed away Monday, December 31, 2012 after a difficult
battle with cancer. Services for Carmen were held on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church
in San Antonio.
Carmen's years of superior knowledge and invaluable experience in the
implementation of education programs for school age children, adults and the
elderly were invaluable. Her organizational skills and bilingual communication
abilities enabled her to work with a wide variety of audiences, and she
will be missed not only here at the Health Science Center but also in the
communities she served in San Antonio and South Texas. Please keep her family
in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
(1-8-13)

Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD, Chief of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery
interviewed on Texas Public Radio: Dr. Jatoi discussed pre-surgical MRI for a report on the San Antonio Breast
Cancer Symposium, held in December 2012. Dr. Jatoi moderated a panel on 'Controversies
in the Surgical Management of Breast Cancer', which included topics 'Sentinel
node biopsy in breast cancer - before or after neoadjuvant chemotherapy',
Evolving trends in implant breast reconstruction', and Dr. Jatoi's topic, 'The
role of MRI in management of primary breast cancer'. More on the San Antonio Breast Cancer SymposiumMore about Dr. Jatoi |
Division of Surgical Oncology & Endocrine Surgery
(12-11-12)

Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Surgery,
awarded prestigious trauma award:
Dr. Stewart was presented the 2012 GETAC (Governor's EMS & Trauma Advisory Council) Journey of Excellence Award at
this year's Texas EMS Conference in Austin. The award winner is selected by the GETAC in recognition
of their dedication and contributions to the state EMS / Trauma System. Jane Guerrero, RN, of the
Office of EMS/Trauma Systems Coordination at the Texas Department of State Health Services, says,
"For years, Dr. Stewart has been and continues to be, a tireless advocate for our trauma system in
Texas. Texans, all 26+ million of them, are better off because of him."
More about Dr. Stewart (11-19-12)

Boyce Oliver, Jr., MD, appointed to Commission on Cancer position: The
American College of Surgeons has announced the 3-year appointment of Dr. Oliver,
Professor of Surgical Oncology in the Division of Surgical Oncology and
Endocrine Surgery, as Cancer Liaison Physician for the cancer program at
University Health System. Cancer Liaison Physicians are an integral part of
cancer programs accredited by the ACS Commission on Cancer. Dr. Oliver is a
member of the multidisciplinary cancer committee at University Health System,
and has a significant interest in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with
malignant diseases.
More about Dr. Oliver |
More info on FACS Commission on Cancer |
Read FACS press release
(11-14-12)

University Hospital earns Pediatric Level II Trauma Center designation:
For many years, University Hospital, as the lead Level I trauma center
for South Texas, has been the primary destination for the treatment of
life-threatening injuries in both adults and children.
University Hospital is now the first in South Texas to be recognized for its
expertise in treating serious injuries in children.
This designation is awarded by the American College of Surgeons Committee on
Trauma, Verification / Consultation Program for Hospitals. Established by the ACS
Committee on Trauma in 1987, the Consultation / Verification Program is designed
to promote the development of trauma centers in which participants
provide the hospital resources necessary to address the trauma needs of
all injured patients.
Read more
(11-6-12)

New Emergency Medicine residency program announced:
Bruce Adams, MD, Director of the Center for Emergency Medicine, said beginning a residency in emergency medicine is
critical because of the shortage of emergency doctors in the United States, and
especially in South Texas. This is the first civilian emergency medicine residency program in South
Texas. The Center for Emergency Medicine (formerly known as the Division
of Emergency Medicine in the Department of Surgery) in the university's School of Medicine, has
partnered with University Health System (UHS) for this new residency
program.
Read HSC News story |
View
KENS5 story |
Learn more about the Emergency Medicine
Residency Program | Center for Emergency Medicine
(10-3-12)

The Department of Surgery and Professor & Chairman, Ronald M. Stewart, MD,
are very pleased to announce Dr. Brian Eastridge has joined the Division of
Trauma and Emergency Surgery in the Department of Surgery in full time capacity
as Professor / Clinical and the new Trauma Medical Director at University
Hospital. Dr. Eastridge earned his MD in 1989 from the University of Maryland
School of Medicine, and completed his general surgery residency there in 1996. He
completed a surgical critical care and trauma fellowship at UT Southwestern in 1997,
and served on their faculty from 1997 until 2005. In 2005, Dr. Eastridge joined
the US Army fulltime, serving in many key roles, including Division Chief of the US Army
Institute for Surgical Research.
Read Dr. Stewart's complete welcome letter |
Division of Trauma and Emergency Surgery
(9-25-12)

UT Surgery trauma surgeon Jayson Aydelotte, MD, called on Army surgical experience to treat injured man:
San Antonio's south side late in the evening of Monday September 17, 2012, when a plant
worker's leg became lodged between two rollers. The San Antonio Fire Department's Technical
Rescue Team, an ambulance, and AirLife were called — along with a trauma surgeon. During Dr. Aydelotte's
Army career, he performed about 100 amputations, but this was the first field amputation. With the assistance of
a medical student, the surgery was performed, and the man was immediately airlifted to University Hospital.
Read MySA article |
More about Dr. Aydelotte |
More about UT Trauma & Emergency Surgery (9-19-12)

The School of Medicine, the Department of Surgery and Division of
Emergency Medicine are delighted to announce the transition of the
Division of Emergency Medicine to the Center
for Emergency Medicine effective September 1, 2012. As announced in March, Bruce D. Adams, M.D.
was recruited as Chief Designate of the Division of Emergency Medicine effective 9/1/2012.
With the creation of this new Center, Dr. Adams will become the inaugural Center Director.
His extensive leadership experience will serve him well as he takes the reins of Emergency
Medicine at the School of Medicine and develops this extremely important academic and
clinical endeavor.
Please join us in both welcoming Dr. Adams to the School of Medicine and congratulating him
on his expanded role as a Center Director.
Read complete announcement
(8-22-12)

The Department of Surgery is pleased to announce the resurgence of our Business Leadership seminars for our
faculty, residents and fellows:
The seminars will be presented on a monthly basis – it is hoped that all faculty, residents and fellows will
make every effort to attend these valuable eductional opportunities.Personal finance – What all surgery residents need to know
Presenter: Clinton E. Baisden, MD, FACS (pictured, left)
Wednesday, September 26, 2012, 6:30-8:30 pm, Room 209L (please note date change!)Everything you always wanted to know about coding – But were afraid to ask...
Presenter: Matthew J. Sideman, MD, Vascular / Endovascular Surgery (pictured, right)
Tuesday, October 23, 2012, 6:30-8:30 pm, Room 209L
(8-14-12)

Richard M. Peterson, MD, MPH, Director of UT Weight Loss and Chief, UT Medicine Center for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, discusses
obesity "vaccine" – KENS5 interview:
A new experimental vaccine targets a hormone known to slow metabolism and cause
weight gain. When tested on obese mice, studies showed they lost about 10
percent of their weight in just four days. "Right now, the most durable
treatment for obesity is a surgical approach," said Dr. Peterson.
"If we were able to get something like that to work, this obesity epidemic that
we see in the United States and the world frankly would be abated."
Peterson said obesity has become an epidemic in the United States, and many
people just want that one quick option to help them obtain a slimmer physique.
View KENS5 interview |
UT Weight Loss |
More about Dr. Peterson
(7-17-12)

KENS5 interviews Lillian Liao, MD, Trauma, in support of the
Trauma Toy Chest for pediatric burn and trauma patients: In an interview with
Wendy Rigby, KENS5 health reporter, Dr. Liao explains how sometimes, it's the smallest
things that can make a big difference for a pediatric trauma or burn patient.
The Trauma Toy Chest, started in 2008 by surgery residents, provides soft fuzzy new stuffed animals for our smallest
patients, providing a distraction from the frequently unpleasant
medical procedures they must go through.
View
KENS5 story |
En Español |
New! Online donation site for Trauma Toy Chest! |
More about Dr. Liao
(7-11-12)

Richard M. Peterson, MD, MPH, Director of UT Weight Loss and Chief, UT Medicine Center for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, discusses increased
risk of alcoholism following gastric bypass surgery – KENS5 interview:
According to Dr. Peterson and other experts on the subject, the surgical procedure
changes the way the body metabolizes and digests alcohol, and can lead to an increased risk of alcoholism.
Another issue involved is the possibility that the patient's food addiction can transfer itself to an
alcohol addiction after surgery. These possible problems, and others, are discussed in detail with
the patient prior to undergoing surgery.
View KENS5 interview |
UT Weight Loss |
More about Dr. Peterson
(7-2-12)

Miguel Fernández, MD, Director, South Texas Poison Center interviewed by Brownsville Herald
regarding synthetic marijuana: Concerned with the recent increase in synthetic marijuana use, Brownsville police
are anticipating an increase in arrests for possession. According to Dr. Fernández, "It's the dose that
makes the poison. The more you get the worse it is." STPC data about the drug – which is sometimes called
synthetic marijuana, K2 or Spice – only goes back to 2010, the first year calls about exposure to the drug were tallied.
Since then, the center has received just seven calls from Cameron County,
according Fernández, who has more than 20 years working in emergency rooms. This interview was also reported in the Valley Star. Read Brownsville Herald article |
Read Valley Star article |
More about Dr. Fernandez |
South Texas Poison Center
(6-19-12)

Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Surgery,
presents tort reform study at 2012 Digestive Disease Week: In an interview
published in the 21 May 2012 online Internal Medicine News, Dr. Stewart explains
the beneficial impact the 2003 tort reform has had on Texans, including a
growing number of physicians per patients served. "Tort reform, as implemented
in Texas, was associated with an increase in practicing physicians with
resultant improved access to care," Dr. Stewart concluded.
Read article |
More about Dr. Stewart
(5-22-12)

UT Weight Loss now offering free information seminars in New Braunfels:
Richard M. Peterson, MD, MPH, Director of UT Weight Loss and the UT Medicine Center for
Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, is pleased to announce that they will be offering free information
seminars on upcoming Saturdays at the New Braunfels McKenna Events Center. If you're considering weight loss
surgery, please give them a call at 210-438-8446 and register for one of the upcoming info seminars. For a complete
list of dates, times, and locations for free information seminars and support groups, please click here to visit the
UT Weight Loss website.
(5-9-12)

Richard M. Peterson, MD, MPH, podcast on KGNB radio, New Braunfels: If you are considering weight loss
surgery, please take a few minutes to listen to Dr. Peterson's recent interview podcast
from KGNB radio in New Braunfels. Highly informative and interesting, the podcast answers many of the
general questions you might have about bariatric surgery — does insurance cover this? what is the recovery
time involved? how do you get started on the approval process? when is the free information seminar?
Listen to KGNB podcast |
Free information seminars (5-15-12)

Plastic and reconstructive surgeons help revolutionize the repair of
unstable breastbones: Aided by digital imaging, and in collaboration with radiologists and
cardiothoracic surgeons, Howard Wang, MD, and Luis Jaramillo, MD, Plastic &
Reconstructive Surgery, are part of the team who are successfully working together on
a new breakthrough in treatment for patients with unstable breastbones. In about 3 percent of
heart bypass patients, the divided breastbone does not heal properly, leading to a poorer outcome, chronic pain,
and a significantly reduced quality of
life for these patients.
Read this article in the Mission magazine |
More about Dr. Wang | More about Dr. Jaramillo
(5-9-12)

If you have reflux, you may be interested in the TIF® procedure, a new incisionless surgical treatment
option for reflux disease: Please join us on Wednesday,
May 9, 6 p.m. at the MARC, Conference Room B, for an informational seminar, presented by Kent Van Sickle, MD,
Associate Professor of Surgery and Director of the Johnson Center for
Surgical Innovation. The TIF® procedure — Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication — is used
to treat the underlying anatomical cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The procedure can reconstruct the antireflux
valve at the entrance to your stomach with no incisions, which means no scars and a much faster recovery period.
(5-8-12)

South Texas Poison Center Seminar — Emergency Treatment of Toxic Exposure to be held Saturday, June 23, 2012,
at the CTRC in the Mabee Conference Room, 7:15 a.m.-5 p.m. Registered nurses and interprofessional
healthcare providers in South Texas who treat the poisoned patient are encouraged to attend, but space is limited
so please register early by calling 450-5107 or 450-5100.
Click here for flyer and brochure downloads.
(5-1-12)

Thelma Hurd, MD, FACS, Associate Professor of Surgery in the Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine
Surgery, presented 'Hispanic Women, Screening and Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Where Access and Biology
Collide' at the inaugural Surgical Healthcare Disparities meeting in Baltimore Md. Co-sponsored by the Society of
Black Academic Surgeons, Johns Hopkins and Howard University, this is the first healthcare disparities symposium
focused on surgical issues in underserved populations held in the United States.
More about Dr. Hurd (4-18-12)

School of Medicine's Winter 2011 FUTURE magazine features our military partnership: The relationship between
the School of Medicine and the Department of Surgery with San Antonio's military presence began more than 40 years ago. The
article focuses on the ongoing contributions and collaborations between our healthcare training and patient care, and the
members of the military who continue to contribute. Several Department of Surgery faculty are featured – Basil Pruitt, MD,
Division of Trauma and Emergency Surgery; Ismail Jatoi, MD, Chief of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery; Richard M.
Peterson, MD, MPH, FACS, Chief of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery; Anatolio Cruz, MD, Division of Surgical Oncology and
Endocrine Surgery; and Craig Manifold, MD, Division of Emergency Medicine.
Read/download FUTURE Winter 2012
(4-5-12)

The Department of Surgery and the Division of Emergency Medicine are extremely pleased to announce the Chief
Designate of Emergency Medicine, Bruce D. Adams, MD. Dr. Adams will take the position in September 2012.
Currently he serves as Deputy Commander for Clinical Services and
Chief of the Medical Staff at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss, Texas, overseeing
medical care provided to over 90,000 soldiers, family
members and veterans on Fort Bliss - the fastest growing and most expansive US military base
in the world. Prior to moving to Fort Bliss, he performed a wide range of military duties that included serving
on special operations tours and combat deployments and acting as the Chief of the Emergency
Medicine Service at Brooke Army Medical Center. The author of many publications, he has
been honored in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Science and Engineering and the Guide
to America's Top Emergency Medicine Physicians on numerous occasions. He has also been
awarded frequent Faculty of the Year Awards. We are grateful to Dr. Justin Williams for his superb efforts in leading the Division during this transition.
He has moved the Division forward and has developed a strong foundation for a future
Department of Emergency Medicine.
Division of Emergency Medicine
(3-20-12)

UT Medicine Vascular / Endovascular Surgery now offering services in Stone Oak:
On March 19, 2012, Maureen Sheehan, MD, and Matthew Sideman, MD, will begin providing complete vascular and endovascular surgical
services at the Methodist Stone Oak Medical Pavilion, located at 1139 East Sonterra Blvd., Suite 565.
Drs. Sheehan and Sideman will provide services for the treatment of vascular diseases,
as well as additional related services including dialysis access and spider and varicose vein treatment. UT Medicine Vascular /
Endovascular Surgery will no longer provide clinical services at the Baptist Atrium location. For patient appointments or referrals at
any of our locations, please call 210-567-5715.
More about Dr. Sheehan |
More about Dr. Sideman |
More Vascular clinics info |
More information about the Division of Vascular /
Endovascular Surgery (3-6-12)

Miguel Fernández, MD, Director, South Texas Poison Center discusses potential hazards of household
chemicals: After a recent incident in which children at a Gonzales daycare facility were
mistakenly given diluted bleach to drink, South Texas Poison Center Director
Miguel Fernández, MD, discussed
facts about the hazards of bleach and other household chemicals, and how they are stored.
Read HSC News article |
UTHSCSA Press Release |
South Texas Poison Center website |
(2-28-12)

Thelma Hurd, MD, FACS, Associate Professor of Surgery in the Division of Surgical Oncology and
Endocrine Surgery, participated in a round table discussion
on integration of the evolving US healthcare system: Convened by Dr. Howard Koh,
Assistant Secretary of Health, as part of the 'One Sight 2012 Community Leaders
Tour', the event was held at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer
Center/University of Houston Center for Health Equity & Evaluation Research. Dr.
Koh was joined by Admiral Epifanio Elizondo, Regional Health Administrator IV,
James Dickens, Regional Health Administrator VI and Special Assistant to the
OASH Kirby Bumpus and the Institutional leadership from the University of Texas
M.D. Anderson and the University of Houston.
More about Dr. Hurd (2-8-12)

Congratulations to Surgery faculty recently selected by their peers as
some of the Best Doctors in America® —
Honorees include Drs. Stephen Cohn (General Surgery), Glenn Halff (Transplant), John Myers (Trauma),
Boyce Oliver (Surgical Oncology), Wayne Schwesinger (General Surgery), Kenneth Sirinek
(General Surgery), Ronald Stewart (Trauma; Department Chair), and W. Kenneth Washburn (Transplant).
Our surgeons are listed along with other San Antonio honorees in the
January 2012 edition of San Antonio Magazine.
"These Best Doctors
honorees, exemplify the commitment of UT Medicine San
Antonio to our patients and communities," said Francisco González-Scarano, MD,
dean of the School of Medicine and vice
president for medical affairs of the Health Science Center.
Read HSC News article |
Read SA Magazine article
(1-17-12)

Richard Peterson, MD, MPH, FACS, on Richard M. Peterson, MD, MPH, interviewed
for November 2011 San Antonio Magazine: "The obesity problem in Texas falls into
the highest category of obesity as defined by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention," says Richard Peterson, MD, MPH, Director of the UT Medicine
Center for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery and Chief, Bariatric and Metabolic
Surgery, UT School of Medicine San Antonio. "One in three people in Texas are
obese." Peterson says that most patients who are seeking surgery have tried
traditional weight loss solutions. "We have talked to patients who have had the
surgery, and they say, 'My one regret is that I wish I did it sooner.'"
Read San Antonio Magazine article |
More about Dr. Peterson |
UT Center for Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery |
CHRISTUS Weight Loss Institute – Westover Hills
(12-6-11)

Richard Peterson, MD, MPH, FACS, on KENS-5 Great Day SA: Lose
weight the right way ... Today! — Dr. Peterson, Director of the UT
Center for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, Chief of the UTHSCSA Division of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery,
and Medical Director of the CHRISTUS Weight Loss Institute -
Westover Hills, discusses procedures and who is a good candidate for these procedures, as well as the keys to
success - exercise, eating right, and going to the support group meetings.
View video |
More about Dr. Peterson |
UT Center for Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery |
CHRISTUS Weight Loss Institute – Westover Hills
(11-9-11)

Using donated human skin for mastectomy patients – Howard T. Wang, MD,
interviewed by CBS News:
Texas doctors are using an innovative tissue implant product called "Alloderm" for women undergoing reconstruction after a mastectomy.
The 'skin' is used to shape new breasts and keeps them in place, acting like a sling, of sorts. It is made out of the dermis of
donated skin from a cadaver. Dr. Howard Wang, with UT Medicine plastic and reconstructive surgery says, "The Alloderm does provide better
coverage for the implant. But really also it allows me to define the shape of the implant and where the implant's going to stay."View video, read story |
More about Dr. Wang |
UT Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |
(10-14-11)

Mercury poisonings linked to cosmetic cream from Mexico:
The South Texas Poison Center is warning against use of a cosmetic cream from
Mexico that is linked to an outbreak of inorganic mercury exposures and
poisonings, mostly in towns along the Texas-Mexico border.
Miguel Fernández, MD, Director of the South Texas
Poison Center, was interviewed on local national affiliates KENS-5 and KSAT-12 to discuss poisoning cases resulting
from use of the cosmetic cream.
HSC News articleKENS-5 interview |
More about Dr. Fernández |
South Texas Poison Center
(9-6-11)

Ken and Peggy Sirinek establish endowed scholarship: Kenneth R. Sirinek, MD, PhD, Professor of Surgery and Vice Chairman
for Academic Affairs and Professional Development in the Department of Surgery, and his wife, Peggy, have established
an endowed scholarship in General Surgery to recognize the academic achievement of top students, encourage them to
pursue a career in general surgery, and to provide them with financial relief at the same time. (Photo – pictured, l to r,
Connie Aust, wife of the late J. Bradley Aust, MD, PhD, founding faculty member; Katie Wiggins-Dolvik, MD, first recipient of
the endowed scholarship; and Kenneth R. Sirinek, MD, PhD)Read Mission magazine story |
More about Dr. Sirinek (8-19-11)

Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD, Chief of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery,
quoted in Reuters story on disparities in cancer treatment: Researchers
at Walter Reed found that, in spite of
equal access to health care through military health insurance, disparities still
exist between the treatment of black women and white women with breast cancer.
"I think it's important to understand why we're seeing these sorts of variations,"
said Jatoi, who was not involved in this study.
Read Reuters article |
More about Dr. Jatoi |
Division of Surgical Oncology & Endocrine Surgery
(8-1-11)
John Myers, MD, appointed Chief of Trauma and Emergency Surgery:
Serving as Interim Chief of Trauma since 2008,
he completed his medical degree and
residency training at UTHSCSA in 1999, at which time he joined the faculty. He completed a
Surgical Critical Care fellowship in 2002 and is board certified in general surgery and surgical
critical care.
Dr. Myers has been serving as the Interim Chief of the Division of Trauma and Emergency
Surgery since October, 2008. He has done an outstanding job during this time, serving as a
gifted clinician and a highly accomplished educator and administrator.
Dr. Myers currently serves on seventeen University Hospital Committees and is or has been the
leader of six of these committees. He is and has been central to the new capital improvement
project – the construction of the new hospital and downtown clinics. He has been a very active
and committed member of the Medical School Admissions Committee. He was elected to the
Medical Faculty Assembly Executive Committee where he served admirably, first as a member
and then as the Chair.
Most notably, over the four decades since the establishment of our J. Bradley Aust Surgical
Society, Dr. Myers has served as one of only two Secretaries of this vitally important and
successful organization.
More about Dr. Myers |
Division of Trauma & Emergency Surgery
(7-25-11)

Martin G. Schwacha, PhD, Professor of Surgery at UTHSCSA, appointed as Editor-in-Chief of the International
Journal of Burns and Trauma. The International Journal of Burns and Trauma (IJBT) (ISSN: 2160-2126),
is an open access, online-only
journal to facilitate rapid publication and circulation of novel discoveries in basic and clinical sciences of
burns and traumas. The scope of IJBT is intended to encompass that of multi-disciplinary researchers
from any scientific discipline where the primary focus of the research is to increase and integrate
knowledge about etiology and molecular mechanisms of burns and trauma with the ultimate aim of
advancing the cure and prevention of this group of diseases.
More info – International Journal of Burns and Trauma Editorial Board |
More about Dr. Schwacha |
Dr. Schwacha's Trauma Immunopathology Lab
(7-20-11)

Local chapter of the Association of Women Surgeons established by UT School of Medicine surgeons: The
South Texas Chapter of the Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) was recently established by Department of Surgery faculty
and residents, as well as other community women surgeons. Local AWS chapters serve as a resource at the
local level for women surgeons, providing professional growth and networking opportunities. Lori Pounds, MD, Vascular Surgeon
in the Department of Surgery, has been assigned as President; Co-Vice Presidents are Johanna Bayer, MD, General
Surgery Resident, and Alicia Logue, Assistant Professor of Surgery; Co-Secretaries are Heather Brandfellner, MD,
General Surgery Resident, and Michelle Savu, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery; Co-Treasurers are
Helenmari Merritt, Cardiothoracic Surgery Resident, and Paula K. Shireman, MD, Professor of Vascular
Surgery and Interim Associate Dean for Research for the UT School of Medicine San Antonio; and Lillian Liao, MD,
MPH, Social and Webmaster. The group will continue to have regular meetings to establish a mentorship program and to
select guest speakers.
Association of Women Surgeons website
(7-7-11)

Congratulations to
Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD, Chief of UT Surgical Oncology, who was recently
awarded the Legion of Merit for his dedicated service in the US Army, given for
exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and
achievements in the United States military (pictured, center). Dr. Jatoi served in the US Army from 1977 to 2010, serving as head of the
National Naval Medical Center Breast Care Center in Bethesda, Maryland, from 2006 through 2010. Upon retirement from
the Army in early 2010, Dr. Jatoi joined the
Department of Surgery.
More about Dr. Jatoi |
UT Surgical Oncology website (7-5-11)

Congratulations to
Paula K. Shireman, MD, who has been named a fellow of the Executive Leadership
in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program of Drexel University. Dr. Shireman,
Professor of Vascular Surgery and Associate Dean for Research for the School of Medicine,
is one of 54 women faculty members chosen to participate in the program. As part of
her fellowship, she will lead a project that addresses an institutional need, increasing
understanding of the challenges of today's academic health centers.
Read HSC News story |
More about ELAM |
More about Dr. Shireman (6-15-11)

June 29, 2011 – UT Transplant Center's Allograft Resources and Donate Life Texas sponsor Texas League All-Stars Game: The
number of San Antonians willing to donate organs and tissue is extremely low. In an effort to help educate the public
about organ and tissue donation and to help dispel some of the myths and misinformation surrounding the topic, the UT
Transplant Center's Allograft Resources
sponsored the Texas League All-Stars game. Fans were encouraged to sign up to be organ
and tissue donors. Anyone interested in becoming a donor should register with
Donate Life Texas – click here to sign up! |
Read story on MySA.com |
More UT Transplant Center news |
(6-14-11)

Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Surgery, delivers invited lecture
at the 63rd Southwestern Surgical Congress held in March 2011: Dr. Stewart presented
the Claude H. Organ, Jr. Memorial Lecture, entitled 'The Care of the Patient: Science and Service.'
Founded in 1948, the Southwestern
Surgical Conference offers educational programs to stimulate and promote the progress of surgery
to general and specialty surgeons in fifteen member states.
More about Dr. Stewart |
More about the Southwestern Surgical Congress
(6-6-11)

Richard Peterson, MD, MPH, FACS, interview — 'Weight Loss Pod': Dr. Peterson, Assistant Professor
of Surgery and Director of the UT
Center for Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery, agrees that there are benefits to the new sauna weight loss spa therapy, which uses heat and LED
lighting to accomplish weight loss — but the weight loss is more than likely just water weight.
"I don't know that there's any data to support right now the claims that this is going to help sustained
weight loss for any length of time." According to Dr. Peterson, a balanced diet and exercise are the mainstays
for long-term weight loss results, and he strongly recommends talking to your doctor before using any kind of
sauna weight loss therapy.
KSAT-12 story, video |
UT Center for Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery |
More about Dr. Peterson (5-24-11)

Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD, Chief of Surgical Oncology, UT School of Medicine Department of Surgery, discusses
recent breast cancer study with local news media:
Dr. Jatoi's recently published study, a collaborative research effort with the National Cancer Institute and the
University of Pittsburgh, 'Breast Cancer Adjuvant Therapy: Time to Consider Its Time-Dependent Effects', in
the Journal of Clinical Oncology, suggests that breast cancer treatment medicines begin to lose their effectiveness after
a period of about three years. This study suggests that breast cancer should be treated as a chronic disease, similar to
diabetes or hypertension, and that perhaps new, different drugs that specifically target this stage of the disease need to
be developed. HSC News article |
KSAT-12 news interview & article |
San Antonio Express-News article |
Journal Article |
More about Dr. Jatoi |
Visit UT Surgical Oncology website
(5-19-11)

University Transplant Center achieves record lung transplants in one year: Transplant surgeons recently
performed the 40th lung transplant at the UT Transplant Center, also marking the 403rd lung transplant since
the center – a partnership of University Health System and the UT Health Science Center San Antonio –
began performing this procedure in 1987. The procedure allows patients to breathe on their own again and,
despite such severely compromised patients, the survival rate is a remarkable 92 percent.
Read HSC News story |
Visit UT Transplant Center website (5-05-11)

The School of Medicine and the Department of Surgery are delighted to announce
the appointment of Ronald M. Stewart, MD, to the position of Chair of the Department of
Surgery. Dr. Stewart, Professor of Surgery and Anesthesia, has
served admirably as the Interim Chair for Surgery since October of 2008, and
will continue to bring his experience, energy, and talents
to the Department and to the School. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Stewart on his appointment and in
thanking him for his service. We look forward to many productive years for the Department of Surgery.
Read Dean's Announcement |
More about Dr. Stewart (4-25-11)

Alfredo Santillan, MD, MPH, appointed as Cancer Liaison Physician for Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital:
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Commission on Cancer has announced the appointment of Dr. Alfredo Santillan, UT
Surgical Oncology, as the Cancer Liaison Physician for Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital, San Antonio, Texas.
The ACS Commission on Cancer supports cancer patients and Commission-accredited programs with resources, and
includes representatives from more than 1500 cancer programs nationwide.
More about the American College of Surgeons
Commission on Cancer |
More about Dr. Santillan |
Visit UT Surgical Oncology website
(4-20-11)

Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD, Chief of Surgical Oncology, UT School of Medicine Department of Surgery, appointments:
Dr. Jatoi has been selected to chair the University Health System, San Antonio, TX, Cancer Committee through 2011; he has also been
selected to serve on the American Society of Clinical Oncology Health Disparities Advisory Group and the Society
of Surgical Oncology Health Disparities Advisory Committee.
More about Dr. Jatoi |
Visit UT Surgical Oncology website
(4-20-11)

Alfredo Santillan, MD, MPH, guest speaker for Society of Nuclear Medicine national meeting and Exito! Latino Cancer
Research Leadership Program:
Dr. Santillan has been invited to present his abstract, 'Surgical Oncology Imaging', at the 2011 annual meeting
of the Society of Nuclear Medicine in San Antonio, TX. The Society of Nuclear Medicine works to improve health care
by advancing molecular imaging and therapy. He will also be presenting at the 2011 Exito! Latino Cancer Research
Leadership Training Program sponsored by the Institute for Health Promotion Research at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio.
More about Dr. Santillan |
More about Exito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training |
Visit UT Surgical Oncology website
(4-20-11)

Congratulations to Surgery faculty who have earned promotions or tenure for
September 2011: John Myers, MD, Interim Chief of Trauma, promoted
to Professor of Surgery, and Matthew J. Sideman, MD, promoted to
Associate Professor of Vascular/Endovascular Surgery. Tenure has been awarded to
Martin G. Schwacha, PhD, Professor of Trauma Research, and Steven E. Wolf, MD, Professor of
Surgery and Vice Chairman for Research for the Department of Surgery.
(pictured, left to right, Drs. Myers, Sideman, Schwacha, and Wolf) (4-14-11)

Alfredo Santillan, MD, MPH, receives two appointments in the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO):
Dr. Santillan has been appointed to the SSO Melanoma/Sarcoma Disease Site Workforce through
2012. Created in 2011, the role of this group in the SSO is to assist with development of surgical oncology
curriculum, review abstracts, act as a resource for Public Policy Issues & commentary, review guidelines, and
develop consensus statements on behalf of the SSO.
He has also been named to serve on the Society of Surgical Oncology Training Committee, which, among other activities,
assists in the development of surgical oncology
training programs and training program guidelines.
Visit the Society of Surgical Oncology website |
More about Dr. Santillan |
Visit UT Surgical Oncology website
(4-13-11)

Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Education & Research Foundation
recognizes Wayne H. Schwesinger, MD, Professor of Surgery and Interim Chief, General and Laparoendoscopic Surgery:
Dr. Schwesinger has been chosen as the 2011 recipient of the prestigious SAGES Foundation Jeffrey L. Ponsky Master
Educator in Endoscopy Award, which honors a distinguished SAGES leader who exemplifies Dr. Ponsky's pioneer leadership
spirit and dedication to the development and teaching of surgical endoscopy. Dr. Schwesinger will be honored at the
5th Annual SAGES Foundation Awards Luncheon on March 30, 2011, in San Antonio.
More about SAGES Foundation Successes |
More about Dr. Schwesinger
(2-11-11)

General Surgery Scholarship established by Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth R. Sirinek:
The University, the School of Medicine and the Department of Surgery gratefully acknowledge the generous gift made by
the Sirineks to establish a $25,000 General Surgery Scholarship, which will be awarded Spring of 2011 during the Annual
Founders' Day Endowment Luncheon. Dr. Sirinek, who holds the J.B. Aust, MD, PhD Chair in Surgery, is a Professor of Surgery as
well as the Department of Surgery Vice Chairman for Academic Affairs and Professional Development, and served as
Chief of General & Laparoendoscopic Surgery from 2001 until 2010.
More about Dr. Sirinek
(2-11-11)

Steve Wolf, MD, Department of Surgery Vice Chairman for Research and Professor of Trauma,
featured on National Geographic Explorer's 'How to Build a Beating Heart'. Explorer
delves into regenerative medicine – the science of tissue engineering – and shows how scientists are
beginning to harness the body's natural powers to grow skin, muscle, body parts
and vital organs, even hearts. Research is investigating regenerating damaged, aging or diseased body parts grown from our own cells &ndash
genetically indistinguishable from our own.
Go to Nat Geo story |
More about Dr. Wolf |
(2-7-11)

Interviewed on KSAT-12 by Brian Mylar, Miguel Fernández, MD, Director of the South Texas
Poison Center, warns of new form of substance abuse:
People are using bath salts to get high — this new form of getting high hasn't
reached San Antonio yet, but is probably on the way. Some bath salts contain
Mephedrone which when ingested nasally or orally causes an elevated mood similar
to the effects of cocaine or methamphetamine.
View KSAT-12 News story, videoMore about Dr. Fernández |
South Texas Poison Center
(12-21-10)

Steven Wolf, MD, Vice Chairman of the Department of Surgery, featured in the December 2010 Scene in SA Magazine:
Every cell in our body has the programming it needs to shape itself from a single cell in the womb into distinct organs
and parts of the body – and this ability doesn't go away after birth. Called 'pixie dust', the extracellular matrix (ECM for short)
cells are the subject of a $250 million research project sponsored by the Department of Defense. The hope is that this 'pixie dust' can
be triggered to re-grow body parts in our wounded warriors. More about Dr. Wolf |
Scene in SA – 'Mad Science'
(12-13-10)

Congratulations to Miguel Fernández, MD, Director of the South Texas
Poison Center, on his appointment to the National Toxicology Program Board
of Scientific Counselors:
The National Toxicology Program Board of Scientific Counselors was established
in 1978 by the Department of Health and Human Services as a cooperative effort
to monitor, control, and coordinate toxicology testing and to provide
information about potentially toxic chemicals to the public and health,
regulatory, medical and research agencies. Appointed by Kathleen Sebelius, US Secretary
of Health and Human Services, Dr. Fernández's term on the board
will run through June 2013. Read HSC News story |
National Toxicology Program |
More about Dr. Fernández |
South Texas Poison Center
(12-8-10; updated 1/13/11))

Basil Pruitt, MD, FACS, Trauma & Emergency Surgery, selected as
honorary member of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine (JAAM): The Board of
Directors of the JAAM have awarded their first ever foreign honorary membership to
Dr. Pruitt, Professor of Trauma Surgery. For more than 50 years, Dr. Pruitt has been a tireless advocate for burn
patients and burn survivors, and rules the field of burn surgery through his innovation and tireless leadership.
Throughout his career, he has conducted clinical and laboratory research that
has dramatically improved the treatment of burns, and he has published papers in
all areas in which advancements have been made.
More about Dr. Pruitt (11-16-10)

Congratulations to Carol Singleton, Surgery Human Resources / Credentialing, who
was selected by the South Texas Association of Medical Staff Professionals
(STAMSP) for special recognition during National Medical Staff Services
Awareness Week, November 7-13, 2010. Carol has been an active member of
STAMSP since 2007 and has been involved behind the scenes during the year
lending her talents and contributions. Carol's duties in Surgery include
responsibility for the credentialing of Surgery faculty and health
professionals at University Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Centers and other
hospital facilities in the medical center and downtown San Antonio. Her
affiliation with STAMSP has provided her with the knowledge, resources and a
network of credentialing professionals that help her do her every day job.
(11-11-10)

Fox 29 News – Much-needed $900 million expansion for University Emergency facilities underway: Even before the closing of
one of San Antonio's three Level I Trauma Centers at Wilford Hall, University Health System's emergency services were
feeling the pinch – not enough beds, not enough waiting area, not enough room for providing services to our
ever-increasing population and service area. With the new emergency services expansion at University Hospital, Emergency
Medicine Interim Chief Justin Williams, MD, is looking forward to being able to better serve the sick and injured of
Bexar County and beyond. More ICUs,
larger waiting area, increased trauma bays – an all-around improvement in the quality of care we'll be able to provide.
View Fox29 video |
Emergency Medicine
(11-10-10)

HSC News – Experienced surgeons join
CTRC's surgical oncology division: 2010 has seen many new developments in Surgery's
Division of Surgical Oncology, including three new faculty – Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD,
Professor and Chief; Boyce Oliver, Jr., MD; and Alfredo Santillan, MD. Anatolio Cruz, MD, (pictured, right) founding Surgery faculty member,
has been with the division for 40 years. In the news article, he talks about the standards of excellence brought by our new faculty, as
well as the changes he's seen in the specialty of surgical oncology over
the past four decades. HSC News article |
Surgical Oncology website |
More about our Surgical Oncology physicians |
CTRC website (11-03-10)

Congratulations to Department of Surgery faculty named Distinguished Teaching Professors by the Chancellor,
the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs or the Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs of
the University of Texas System – Daniel Dent, MD, Trauma and Emergency Surgery, and Robert Esterl, MD, Transplant:
This distinction is given to recognize faculty who have made significant
contributions to education. Faculty who receive this distinction are also
selected by their peers to become
members of the Academy of Master Teachers.
HSC News – HSC honors 175 stellar faculty members |
More about Dr. Dent |
More about Dr. Esterl
(11-03-10)

South Texas Poison Center recognized by the American Association of Poison Control
Centers Fatality Review Team:
Our team was recognized at the 2010 North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology Meeting
held in Denver, Colorado, for being the first poison center in the country to complete all of
their fatality case abstracts. The South Texas Poison Center fatality abstract review
team includes
Douglas Cobb, RPh;
Miguel C. Fernandez, MD;
George Layton, MD;
Cynthia Abbott-Teter, PharmD; and
C. Lizette Villarreal, MA.
More about the American
Association of Poison Control Centers |
South Texas Poison Center
(10-27-10)
(10-27-10)

Breast cancer researchers present recent breast cancer awareness information to legislators:
'An Assessment of Breast Cancer Awareness in South Texas Border Communities: A Community Based
Participatory Approach,' by Thankam Sunil PhD, Thelma Hurd, MD and Frank Moore PhD was
presented to legislators at the San Antonio Life Sciences Institute (SALSI) showcase in October 2010. The
project enables promotoras in the Eagle Pass and Del Rio colonias to conduct a community survey
of breast cancer awareness among women and men in the communities. The promotoras are
integrated throughout all aspects of project development, implementation and dissemination.
More about Dr. Hurd (10-20-10)

Steven Wolf, MD, Vice Chairman for Research, interviewed by Startech – a non-profit technology commercialization
center in San Antonio, Texas: As chief of clinical research at the United States Army Institute of Surgical
Research at Fort Sam Houston, Wolf is working with injured veterans to test
whether ECM can help the body regenerate new tissue, when applied directly to
damaged muscle tissue.
Read article in Startech newsletter |
Startech website | More about Dr. Wolf
(10-14-10)

Providing new options for patients
with pancreatic or liver cancer – Jose Almeda, MD, interviewed for MDNews October 2010: Dr. Almeda and other members of the UT Transplant Center
surgical team are taking a new approach. "We evaluate a patient's functional
status rather than his or her chronological age, and we try to find solutions for all patients
who will have a high quality of life after surgery."
More about Dr. Almeda |
UT Transplant Center |
MDNews San Antonio
(10-13-10)

South Texas Poison Center faculty and staff will present at the 2010 North American College of
Clinical Toxicology Conference in Denver, Colorado: This annual conference
provides an opportunity for physicians, pharmacists, nurses and scientists from around the world to
participate in the sharing of information on a wide variety of toxicological issues.
Read more... |
Visit South Texas Poison Center website
(10-6-10)

Hoi Lan Nakajo, winner of Surgery's 2010 drawing for the Employee of the Month Caribbean Cruise for Two! The Department of Surgery,
the J. Bradley Aust Surgical Society, and the Surgery Employee of the Month Committee offer their congratulations to Hoi Lan,
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, for being the winner of our annual drawing. More about
Surgery's Employee of the Month program (9-29-10)

Constructing the South Texas Research Facility — HSC News talks with
Paula K. Shireman, MD, Professor and Interim Associate Dean for Research about
building the HSC's research teams:
Dr. Shireman is working with university departments to discover which existing faculty and which
new recruits might make good candidates to work in the STRF.
"When recruits come in I will meet with them and work with group leaders to
identify what would complement existing faculty," Dr. Shireman said. "It's going
to take a lot of people working together to populate the building and make it
the great research facility that it can become."
Read HSC News story |
More about Dr. Shireman (9-9-10)

New study by San Antonio surgeons says laparoscopic surgery OK in pregnancy:
worries about the fetus sometimes give patients and surgeons pause about whether to operate using popular,
minimally invasive techniques, which involve inserting metal tubes into the abdomen and inflating it with gas.
A new study by San Antonio surgeons looked at the results of both laparoscopic and open surgery on pregnant
women over several years and found them equally safe and effective for removing both gallbladders and appendixes.
"Now we can at least say definitively, when we looked at our results we saw no difference between an open
operation and a laparoscopic one," said Michael Corneille, MD, Associate Professor of Trauma and Emergency Surgery.
Read complete MySA.com story |
More about Dr. Corneille (9-9-10)

The Department of Surgery is pleased to recognize the creation of the Department of Cardiothoracic
Surgery in the School of Medicine on September 1, 2010. John H. Calhoon, MD, Professor of Surgery,
will lead this promising, growing, new department. Dr. Calhoon (pictured right), a nationally recognized cardiothoracic
surgeon, heads a talented and dedicated group of faculty and staff.
The entire Department of Surgery wishes the new Department well, and is proud and thankful to have
been a part of their development. We look forward to a continued strong and collegial partnership
with the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery as they begin this latest phase of their journey.NEW Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery website (9-7-10)

Congratulations to Robert Johnson, PhD, Trauma Research, who has been named
chairman of IACUC: The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
is one of four UTHSCSA entities responsible for the humane care and use of laboratory animals. These groups
work together to ensure that the University remains in compliance with federal and institutional
guidelines and regulations and remains accredited by the regulatory agencies.
More about Dr. Johnson (9-1-10)
Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Interim Chairman, Department of Surgery and Trauma Director for University Hospital,
interviewed on KSAT-12 News — More student-athletes visit ER For head injuries:
According to a study from the American Academy of Pediatrics, emergency room visits among student athletes have risen
sharply in recent years. Dr. Stewart said he has not noticed a specific change at University Hospital's ER, but that every
head injury needs to be treated with care. "At the Level 1 Trauma Centers, we see a lot of more serious brain injuries,"
Stewart said.
Some symptoms of a concussion include headaches, confusion, nausea, and can last for several days or weeks; Dr. Stewart
recommends seeking medical assistance if any of these symptoms are present.
KSAT-12 story, video |
More about Dr. Stewart
(8-31-10)

09-10-1957 to 08-12-2010 — Mary Bogardus, Administrative Assistant at the South Texas Poison Center in the Department of
Surgery, passed away Thursday, August 12, 2010 after a difficult battle with cancer. The services for
Mary will be held on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at Southwest Funeral Home 3946 South
Zarzamora St. San Antonio, Texas 78225. Visitation will be open from 5-9 pm with a service at
7 pm. Please keep her daughter Brandy and grandson Marcus in your thoughts and prayers as they
deal with the loss of their beloved mother and grandmother. UTHSCSA announcement (8-17-10)

KENS-5 –
New Braunfels hospital offers comprehensive cardiac care:
A new comprehensive cardiovascular center is open at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa
Hospital in New Braunfels.
In an interview with KENS-5, Jeffrey McNeil, MD, cardiothoracic surgery,
said keeping patients close to home has its advantages. "It's mostly
being able to have the support of their family." New Braunfels area physicians
have been supportive of this new program, helping with the design of the
facility and selection of the equipment. It's considered a vital service to a
rapidly growing South Texas city.
KENS-5 story, video |
More about Dr. McNeil (7-27-10)

Congratulations to Paula K. Shireman, Professor, Vascular Surgery, on her
appointment as Interim Associate Dean for Research for the UT School of Medicine
San Antonio. Dr. Shireman is the Principal Investigator on an R01 grant from the National Heart, Lung,
and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health and a Veterans Administration Merit Review grant. Her
research focus is on aging and muscle regeneration, collateral artery formation, lower extremity bypass grafts,
muscle regeneration and stem cells. More about
Dr. Shireman (7-26-10)

Heart resynchronization gives S.A. man a new lease on life: Three heart
attacks, congestive heart failure and an enlarged heart, all before the age of
30 — That's what happened to a San Antonio man whose life has been turned around
with an amazing implanted device. V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, UT Medicine Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Manoj Panday, MD, UT Medicine Cardiology,
worked together to stabilize patient Samuel Ramirez's heart – and completely changed the quality of Mr. Ramirez's life.
Read KENS-5 story, view video |
More about Dr. Reddy |
More about Dr. Panday (7-2-10)

McDonald's pulls 12 million USA-made cadmium-tainted 'Shrek' glasses: Miguel Fernández, MD, director of the
South Texas Poison Center, discussed the potential danger of cadmium poisoning during an interview with WOAI-4 News.
This recall dramatically expands contamination concerns about the toxic metal beyond imported children's jewelry. Dr. Fernández
explained that the potential danger of the contaminated glasses would be long-term exposure to low levels of cadmium,
which could leach from the paint onto a child's hand, then enter the body if the child puts that unwashed hand to his or her mouth.
South Texas Poison Center |
More about Dr. Fernández |
WOAI-4 Story
(6-7-10)

Congratulations to Irma Garcia, Administrative Assistant, Cardiothoracic Surgery, on 30 years of service to the Health
Science Center: Irma was awarded a plaque and a service pin for 30 years of dedication and service to the University and
the School of Medicine. The faculty, staff, residents and fellows of the Division
of Cardiothoracic Surgery are grateful for her continued excellence and dedication. (6-3-10)

Button batteries a powerful health risk for young children: Miguel Fernández, MD, director of the
South Texas Poison Center, spoke with KENS5 health reporter Wendy Rigby about the growing threat posed by these small
batteries to small children. Found in items ranging from digital thermometers to children's books to musical greeting
cards, the batteries seem harmless. But, says Dr. Fernández, "Anything really small can get into the
mouth of a child pretty easily. They're small. They're round. They're shiny, so kids like them." Small enough to lodge in
the throat or airway of a small child, they can cause choking.
Read
KENS5 story, view video |
More about Dr. Fernández (6-2-10)

Justin Williams, MD, to serve as Interim Chief of Emergency Medicine:
Ronald Stewart, MD, Interim Chief of the Department of Surgery, has announced that Dr. Claire Escamilla has
stepped down as the Interim Division Chief in
Emergency Medicine and residency program director effective June 1, 2010. The department is grateful to Dr.
Escamilla for her tireless leadership and strong commitment to excellence in patient care and service.
She has served as a driving force for the development of an academic emergency medicine program at
UHS and UTHSCSA. Her presence will be missed.
Dr. Williams is a well-respected clinical faculty member in our Division of Emergency Medicine. He is a graduate of Tulane
University Medical School, where he was an AOA member. He completed his residency from the
University of Cincinnati Emergency Medicine program. He is a faculty member with the San Antonio
Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC) and a staff physician at Brooke Army
Medical Center. More about Dr. Williams |
Division of Emergency Medicine (5-19-10)

Hidden dangers of energy drinks — too much of a good thing: Over-consumption of 'energy drinks' can lead to
chest pain, rapid heartbeat, nausea, vomiting and agitation, and a trip to the emergency room. Miguel Fernández, MD, director of the
South Texas Poison Center, spoke with WOAI News about the effects of the extremely high amounts of caffeine in
some of the energy drinks. South Texas Poison Center |
More about Dr. Fernández |
View
WOAI video, read story (5-13-10)

Congratulations to Dan Dent, MD, Professor of Surgery, (left) and Patrick Nguyen, MD, Assistant Professor of
Surgery, (right) on their acceptance into the Health Science Center Academy of Master Teachers. Dr. Dent, Trauma and
Emergency Surgery, has been accepted as a Master Teacher, and Dr. Nguyen, General and Laparoendoscopic
Surgery, as an Associate Master Teacher. New members were inducted into the Academy in a ceremony
on April 15, 2010. The Academy is a UTHSCSA professional society organized to demonstrate an ongoing
institutional recognition of and commitment to teaching and learning excellence and the scholarship of
teaching.
More about the Academy of Master Teachers |
More about Dr. Dent |
More about Dr. Nguyen (4-19-10)

The Department of Surgery and Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Interim Chairman, are extremely pleased to
announce the appointment of Kenneth R. Sirinek, MD, PhD, Professor of Surgery, to
Vice Chairman for Academic Affairs and Professional Development in the Department of
Surgery. Dr. Sirinek has also been named J.B. Aust, MD, PhD, Chair in Surgery.
Dr. Sirinek has been a full-time faculty member since 1979 and has served as the Chief
of General and Laparoendoscopic Surgery since 2001. He also served as the General Surgery
Residency Program Director for sixteen years. He is an accomplished clinical scientist and
internationally recognized member of the academic surgical community. In this new role, Dr.
Sirinek will be responsible for mentoring individual faculty members and directing their
professional and academic development, including developing individual faculty and
divisional plans for academic development, encouraging national and regional participation in
surgical organizations, and marketing of clinical services and product lines. He will
also assume leadership of the department's promotion and tenure committee.
More about Dr. Sirinek (4-19-10)

The Department of Surgery is also pleased to announce the appointment of Wayne Schwesinger, MD,
Professor of Surgery, to the position of Interim Chief of the Division of
General and Laparoendoscopic Surgery. Dr. Schwesinger has been an outstanding member of
the Surgery Department faculty since 1974. An accomplished academic
surgeon, Dr. Schwesinger is the immediate past president of both the Western Surgical Association and the
Texas Surgical Society and is a recognized thought leader in American surgery.
More about Dr. Schwesinger (4-19-10)

Howard T. Wang, MD, Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, promoted to Associate Professor
with Tenure effective September 1, 2010: Dr. Wang joined the Department of Surgery in 2005 and has been
serving as the Interim Chief since May, 2008. Simultaneously, he has served as the Program
Director of the Plastic Surgery Residency since May, 2007. Dr. Wang has done an outstanding job
during this time, serving as a highly accomplished educator, administrator, surgeon, and
researcher with great skill in managing a highly complicated plastic surgery program that has met
and exceeded expectations.
More about Dr. Wang (4-19-10)

Department of Surgery announces faculty promotions, effective September 1, 2010:(pictured left to right)Michael Corneille, MD, Division of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, promoted to Associate Professor.
More about Dr. CorneilleDaniel Dent, MD, Division of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, promoted to Professor of Surgery.
More about Dr. DentMiguel Fernández, MD, Division of Emergency Medicine and Director of the South Texas Poison Center,
promoted to Professor of Surgery. More about Dr. FernándezPaula K. Shireman, MD, Division of Vascular/Endovascular Surgery, promoted to Professor of Surgery with Tenure.
More about Dr. Shireman (4-19-10)

Surgery physicians participate in the HSC's 2010 National Doctors' Day outreach:
Three of our surgeons visited local high schools to share their journey to a medical career.
Dr. Dan Dent (Trauma) spoke at Churchill High School,
Dr. Patrick Nguyen (General Surgery - Westover Hills) at Brandeis High School, and
Dr. Kent Van Sickle (General Surgery) at Lee High School.
Forty-one Health Science Center MDs and PhDs participated, touching more than
3,600 students in 35 public and private schools and represented nearly all of our departments and
centers. More about National Doctors' Day (3-31-10)

Doctors' Day 2010: Dr. Nguyen visited Mrs. Amanda Garcia's anatomy class at Brandeis High School, reaching out to a group of
25 senior high school students to share what our doctors do
at the UT Health Science Center. These were very enthusiastic seniors, and when asked to raise their
hand if they were interested in going into the Health Care field over a third of the students raised their
hands. Dr. Nguyen says, "It was rewarding to be able to go into the community and share with young adults what we as
physician members of the Health Science Center do on a daily basis, and to answer any burning
questions they had for me. In addition, they all loved the T-shirts that were given to them by UTHSCSA
in celebration of Doctor's Day." More about Dr. Nguyen (3-31-10)

Doctors' Day 2010: Dr. Van Sickle really enjoyed my visit to Robert E. Lee HS – Go Vols!!! He gave a talk to
about 80 or 90 students, mostly juniors and seniors. Many of them were part of the STEM program –
science, technology,
engineering and math – and many were interested in a career in healthcare. The talk lasted about 30
minutes and no one fell asleep which is usually a good sign! After his talk, there was plenty of time for
questions; several students stuck around afterwards to ask even more questions.
Definitely a good experience and Dr. Van Sickle believes the students got something out of it; the free T-shirts were a
nice bonus! More about Dr. Van Sickle (4-2-10)

University Hospital's ER showing signs of recovery: More than 67,000 people used University's emergency department
last year – almost 3,000 more than in the previous year.
Roughly 12 percent of them left without being seen – usually after waiting for hours. In a city where one in
four people don't have health insurance, the emergency room is a necessity for some patients to get any care at all,
but it's also expensive to provide. Department of Surgery Emergency Medicine physicians are interviewed for this very
interesting article on the recovery of care in the University
Hospital emergency center in the San Antonio Express-News:
Read article in the
Express-News | Division of Emergency Medicine (3-19-10)

Congratulations to Miguel Fernández, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery and Director of the
South Texas Poison Center, whose abstract, 'The Comparative Clinical Effects of Cocaine and Amphetamines',
has been accepted for presentation at the May 2010 XXX International Congress of the
European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists (EAPCCT), in
Bordeaux, France. The abstract will be published in the peer-reviewed journal entitled Clinical Toxicology. |
More about Dr. Fernández |
South Texas Poison Center (3-3-10)

Congratulations to Miguel Fernández, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery and Director of the
South Texas Poison Center, and Lizette Villarreal, MA, Assistant Director, South Texas Poison Center,
whose abstracts,
'Health Care Disparities in Delivering Poison Center Services to Spanish Speakers in Texas' and
'Poison Center Data: Complete or Completely Inaccurate? How to Improve Accuracy in Data Recording' have been
selected for presentation at the May 2010 XXX International Congress of the
European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists (EAPCCT), in
Bordeaux, France. The abstracts will also be published in the peer-reviewed journal entitled Clinical Toxicology. |
More about Dr. Fernández |
More about Ms. Villarreal |
South Texas Poison Center (3-3-10)

Body from scratch: Regenerative medical breakthroughs allowing doctors to regrow body parts:
CNN International's World's Untold Stories', interviews Steven Wolf, MD, Vice Chair for Research and
Professor of Surgery, as part of an in-depth story on regenerative medicine. Ushering in a new age of medicine,
scientists are using regenerative medicine research to 'build' body parts. This research will allow a patient's own
cells to harness the body's ability to regrow, and, in the not-so-distant future, will provide organs for the
hundreds of thousands waiting for transplants worldwide. View
CNN Intl video report | More about Dr. Wolf
(2-26-10)

Becky Doran, MD, Emergency Medicine, putting kids on the ER fast track:
Pediatric emergency specialist Dr. Becky Doran has been on the job at University
Hospital for just over a month, and she's embraced a new mission: to get the
youngest patients in and out as quickly as possible.
"We've instituted new protocols so that our pediatric patients are flagged the
moment they walk in the door," explained Doran, director of pediatric
emergency medicine at University Hospital. "They are treated and triaged
completely differently than our adult population. When children are sick
and time is of the essence, we want parents to think of our hospital as a good
option for quality care."
KENS-5 story & video |
More about Dr. Doran |
Division of Emergency Medicine (2-5-10)

Doctors are not paid more (or less) for minimally invasive surgery:
In an interview with the San Antonio Business Journal, V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, UT Medicine cardiothoracic surgeon,
states that, whether the patient is undergoing traditional open cardiac surgery or one of the newer minimally invasive
surgeries (MIS) — where a surgeon goes in through the patient's side using robotic equipment —
payment for the procedure is fixed. Although cost is no different, the patient benefits with a significantly
reduced recovery period after an MIS procedure.
Read more in
the San Antonio Business Journal |
More about Dr. Reddy |
UT Medicine Cardiothoracic Surgery (2-3-10)

The Department of Surgery is pleased to announce the appointment of Howard T. Wang, MD, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, as Chief of the division.
Dr. Wang is board certified in plastic surgery, and has served as Interim Chief of the division for two years.
He also serves as director of the plastic surgery residency program. Dr. Wang received his medical training at
Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, earning his MD in 1995, and has also completed a general surgery residency, a plastic surgery residency, a
postdoctoral research fellowship, and a postdoctoral hand surgery fellowship. He has
extensive training in microvascular reconstruction of the lower extremities, head, neck and breast.
More about Dr. Wang | More about the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery (1-28-10)

Congratulations to Charles R. Bauer, MD, CPE, Professor of Surgery, Emergency Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery,
who has received the prestigious Governor's Lonestar Achievement Award. Dr. Bauer's years of work in
disaster planning and response has led to countless lives being saved, and has ensured a much safer future for
generations of Texans to come. Dr. Bauer was presented the award on December 9, 2009, by Texas First Lady, Anita Perry.
The Governor's Lonestar Achievement Award recognizes the outstanding service of an individual who has enhanced the delivery
of social services in Texas — rare individuals who see impossible dreams and make them realities.
More about the Governor's Volunteer Awards |
More about Dr. Bauer (12-17-09)

SA doctor knows the true trauma of war: Working at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan, John Bini, MD, trauma surgeon and
critical care specialist, is in the center of everything connected with caring for our soldiers, as
well as the Afghans who arrive as urgent cases and require immediate aid. Dr. Bini is the only
trauma doc there, so he must scrub in on all urgent cases — a job that seems impossibly large.
Read SA Express-News story |
More about Dr. Bini (12-14-09)

Beloved academic pediatrician celebrates lifesaving kidney transplant: After enduring a year of kidney dialysis, John Mangos, MD,
pediatrician at the UT School of Medicine in San Antonio, asked Glenn Halff, MD, interim dean of the school and
Professor and Director of the Transplant Center, why his team did not transplants older patients. Dr. Halff replied, 'We
do," and explained that the prospect of a successful outcome — not age — was the determining factor. With
Dr. Mangos' son-in-law's match for a living kidney donation, the transplant journey was underway.
Read the complete HSC News story
about Dr. Mangos' lifesaving kidney transplant. | The Transplant Center
(12-9-09)

Living legend, Dr. Red Duke, Visiting Lecturer for General Surgery's November 16, 2009, Grand Rounds: The
Department of Surgery was recently privileged to have Dr. Duke join us for Grand Rounds on the subject of 'The inevitability of
Change.' For those who missed his talk, it is available on the internet:
View Dr. Duke's Nov 2009 General Surgery
Grand Rounds
(11-20-09)

Congratulations to John H. Calhoon, MD, Professor and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, who has been named Vice Chairman
and Chairman-Elect of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.
From 2011 to 2013 he will lead the board, which certifies cardiothoracic surgeons
nationwide and protects the public by establishing and maintaining high
standards in the field.
Dr. Calhoon, who joined the Health Science Center faculty in 1989, was
mentored by South Texas transplant surgery pioneers J. Kent Trinkle, MD,
and Frederick Grover, MD. Dr. Calhoon was named head of cardiothoracic
surgery in 1994, succeeding Dr. Trinkle. He occupies the Calhoon President's
Council Chair for Excellence in Surgery, which was established in his family's
honor by Health Science Center supporters who are members of the
President's Council. Read HSC Press Release |
18 Nov 2009 HSC News article |
More about Dr. Calhoon |
More about the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
(11-18-09)

Jeffrey McNeil, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery, performs first open heart surgery at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital in
New Braunfels: In a newly-renovated operating room, Dr. Jeffrey McNeil and his team performed the four
hour operation. It was a success. The New Braunfels interventional cardiology program is prepared
to perform one or two cardiac surgery cases per week, offering New Braunfels patients a first-class alternative
to traveling for their heart disease care.
Read Wendy Rigby - KENS-5 blog article
| More about Dr. McNeil |
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
(11-17-09)

The Department of Surgery
is very pleased to announce that Ismail Jatoi, MD, will join our faculty on December 1, 2009, as professor
and chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology. Dr. Jatoi comes to us from the Breast Care Center at the
National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda where he served as the department head. He will lead the
Division of Surgical Oncology and establish a surgical oncology practice at the CTRC and University
Hospital focused on the management of breast diseases. Please join us in welcoming him to UTHSCSA
and San Antonio. More about Dr. Jatoi |
More about the Division of
Surgical Oncology (11-13-09)

The Department of Surgery offers our condolences to the family of Javier J. Marcos, MD, who
passed away Monday, November 9, 2009 in San
Antonio. Dr. Marcos graduated medical school in 1965 from Universidad
Autonoma de Nuevo Leon.
He was a captain in the US Army during the Vietnam War, then finished his
fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at University Hospital here in San Antonio
in 1975. Dr. Marcos pioneered a very successful practice as
a heart surgeon for over three decades. His skills as a surgeon were exemplary, and
his life touched many people in profound ways.
(11-13-09)

Congratulations to Stephen M. Cohn, MD, Professor of Surgery, whose textbook, 'Acute Care Surgery
and Trauma: Evidence-Based Practice,' was published in September 2009: The 586-page text focuses on
important surgical management issues where one or more problems are addressed using
scientific evidence from the published literature and, predominantly cites Level I and Level II
evidence from the Oxford Scale. (11-4-09)

Loving nephew helps uncle with lifesaving liver transplant: Thanks to his nephew, James Steffanic,
Joe Steffanic has recently celebrated his 60th birthday. In late August,
James donated a portion of his liver to his uncle. Transplant surgeons Drs. Glenn Halff, Kenneth Washburn and Vincent Speeg
performed an advanced type of liver transplant surgery at the University Transplant Center. This was the
first living donor liver transplant performed in the past two years because of the extremely selective matching
procedures used. Joseph is healing and getting stronger every day. "What my nephew did is a beautiful thing.
I'm very proud of him for stepping up to help save my life," he said. "The surgeons are wonderful, too.
I feel like everything is going to be OK."
Read HSC News story
(11-4-09)

Medical Arts & Research Center opens to patients: The newest attraction
at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is a striking,
eight-story building filled with the latest technology and featuring the medical
practices of the same doctors who teach and conduct world-class research in the
School of Medicine. Read HSC News Story
(11-4-09)

UTHSC opens towering new clinic in the medical center: UT Medicine's brand new
8-story building houses more than 200 doctors in 60 specialties. After several years and more than
$100 million in development, planning and construction costs, the Medical Arts and Research Center is now
a reality. "UT Medicine wants to create a one-stop shopping place for patients, "so that you don't have to go from doctor to
doctor to doctor and travel around town to see this specialist or that specialist," explained
Dr. William Henrich, president of UTHSC.
Read / view KENS-5 story
(10-22-09)

Minimally invasive heart valve replacement surgery performed by cardiothoracic
surgeons V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, and Jeffrey McNeil, MD:
After a heart catheterization test to rule out artery blockages, nurses had a sandwich and cold soft drink ready for their patient
as the cardiologist delivered the news that an infection had damaged the patient's valve, and he would need heart
valve replacement surgery as soon as possible. Drs. Reddy and McNeil performed
the intricate three-hour minimally-invasive operation at University Hospital. The procedure required only
a small four-inch incision on the patient's chest.
Read Mission article |
More about Dr. Reddy |
More about Dr. McNeil
(10-22-09)

'Keyhole' minimally invasive heart surgery leads to faster recoveries - V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA,
interviewed on KENS-5: Dr. Reddy, cardiothoracic surgeon, discusses the benefits of minimally
invasive cardiac surgery. With only one small incision in the right chest and without dividing any
bone, Dr. Reddy is able to use catheters to perform procedures that, in the past, have required a
much more invasive approach. With the minimally invasive procedure, patients experience less pain and
are able to return to work in a short period of time, as opposed to the traditional open heart surgery
which requires a much longer recovery period for the patient. Read
KENS-5 story and view video |
Cardiothoracic Surgery |
More about Dr. Reddy
(9-30-09)

Claire Escamilla, MD, interviewed on KENS-5 regarding this year's flu season: 'Just stay home'
As ER waiting rooms fill with feverish South Texans, Dr. Escamilla, Medical Director of University Hospital
Emergency Room and interim chief of Surgery's Division of Emergency Medicine, advises people to just stay home,
treat the symptoms, and allow the flu to just run its course.
"If you have a flu-like illness, fever, sore throat, cough, body aches, profound fatigue - you can
safely assume that you have the flu," says Dr. Escamilla. She advises that a trip to the ER is not necessary unless
you are having trouble breathing or are experiencing other strange symptoms, such as seizures or fever with
a rash.
Read and view the KENS-5 storyView Dr. Escamilla's interview video for some excellent advice on dealing with the flu season.Emergency Medicine |
More about Dr. Escamilla (9-25-09)

HSC physician Charles Bauer, MD, Emergency Medicine, commands joint medical training exercise: Led by Dr. Bauer,
the Texas State Guard provided nearly 13,500 residents in South Texas with free medical and dental care during Operation
Lone Star July 27-August 5, 2009. The annual event is a collaborative training exercise of the Texas State Guard Medical
Brigade, the Army National Guard Medical Command, and the Air National Guard's 136th Airlift Wing, as well as state
health and human services agencies, county health departments, local service groups, and civilian volunteers.
Read HSC News story
(9-10-09)

Congratulations to Paula K. Shireman, MD, Vascular Surgery, who has been selected as Chairman of the Research
Committee of the American Heart Association, South Central Affiliate. Dr. Shireman is also on the Board for the
American Heart Association, South Central Affiliate. The South Central Affiliate of the American Heart Association is based in
Austin, and includes Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
American Heart Association |
More about Dr. Shireman (9-10-09)

Matthew Sideman, MD, Vascular Surgery (pictured right); Patrick Nguyen,
MD, General Surgery; and Ross Willis, PhD, Director of Surgery
Education, assume leadership of Surgery Student Clerkship: Due to his
new role as Interim Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Dr. Bob Esterl
will no longer be able to serve as Director of the Surgery Clerkship
program; his outstanding service in this role will be missed by medical
students as well as the Surgery faculty, staff, and residents. Dr.
Sideman, who will serve as clerkship director, served in a similar
capacity at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Tulsa, OK,
and will be assisted by Drs. Nguyen and Willis. (9-9-09)

Craig Manifold, DO, AirLIFE medical director and Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine: as the city's growth moves north, so does AirLIFE's
home base. AirLIFE is shifting its homebase from downtown at Baptist Medical Center to
Stone Oak at North
Central Baptist Hospital.
"It gives us the opportunity to be able to provide services here in
the northern corridor and decrease our response times and hopefully
be able to save lives by being able to reach more people in a
shorter amount of time," said Dr. Manifold.
KENS-5 news item and video clip |
More about Emergency Medicine
(9-02-09)

Congratulations to Wayne Schwesinger, MD, Professor of General and Laparooendoscopic Surgery, who recently was awarded
a plaque for 35 years of dedication and service to the University and the School of Medicine. The plaque was presented to
Dr. Schwesinger by
University President Henrich. Dr. Schwesinger's career at the Health Science Center began in 1974. The Department
of Surgery is grateful for his continued academic and clinical excellence and his dedication to the
training of tomorrow's surgeons. More about Dr. Schwesinger (8-25-09)

Operation Lone Star 2009: Led by Col. Charles Bauer, MD, Professor of Surgery, Emergency
Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Emergency
Medicine, this year's operation provided help to more than 13,371 South Texas
patients — everything from dental care, to nutritional counseling and stop-smoking
assistance. "Operation Lone Star 09 has been a success," stated Col. Bauer, due to
the diligence, preparation, professionalism and dedication of the personnel deployed
during the exercise.
More about Operation Lone Star 2009 |
Complete article about
Operation Lone Star 2009 (pdf) | More about Dr. Bauer
(8-14-09)

Congratulations to Robert Esterl, Jr., MD, Professor of Surgery (Transplant), who has
been appointed Interim Associate Dean for Student Affairs for the UT School of Medicine at San Antonio.
Dr. Esterl joined our faculty in 1994, and has served as Surgical Director of the
Pancreas Transplant Program at both University
Hospital and the Christus Transplant Institute and as the Surgical Director of the Kidney Transplant Program at
the Christus Transplant Institute. He is currently the Director of Student Education in the Department of
Surgery and the Surgery Clerkship Director. Dr. Esterl has been selected numerous times by the students to
serve as an Assistant Marshal at commencement and for Teaching Excellence Awards. He is a founding
member of both The University of Texas Academy of Health Science Education and the UTHSCSA Academy
of Master Teachers. More about Dr. Esterl (7-31-09)

Congratulations to Kenneth R. Sirinek, MD, PhD, Chief of General and Laparooendoscopic Surgery, who recently was awarded
a plaque for 30 years of dedication and service to the University and the School of Medicine. The plaque was presented to Dr. Sirinek by
University President Henrich. Dr. Sirinek's career at the Health Science Center began in 1979. The Department
of Surgery is grateful for his continued academic and clinical excellence and his dedication to the
training of tomorrow's surgeons. More about Dr. Sirinek (7-27-09)

Congratulations to Martin Schwacha, PhD, Professor of Surgery, Trauma Division and Director of the
Trauma Immunopathology Research Laboratory, who has been appointed to the Research
Committee of the American Burn Association (ABA). The ABA is dedicated to improving the lives of
everyone affected by burn injury through patient care, education, research and advocacy.
Dr. Schwacha's faculty profile |
Trauma Immunopathology Research Laboratory
(7-20-09)

Texas doctor works to revolutionize burn care: Steven Wolf, MD, Ft. Worth, Texas, native, featured in
Ft. Worth Star-Telegram story about BAMC's burn center and why Dr. Wolf is
doing what he is doing: research, patient care, trauma surgery. He has also emerged as one of the most creative researchers in the field and is overseeing a futuristic-sounding project to see whether troops’ limbs can regenerate, given the right cellular blueprint.
Read article in
Ft. Worth Star-Telegram |
More about Dr. Wolf
(7-20-09)

Congratulations to Paula K. Shireman, MD, Vascular Surgery, who has been awarded $166,273
additional NIH / National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute funding for her research project,
'Chemokines and immune cells in hind limb ischemia.' Dr. Shireman and her research team, including
research resident Jason Wells, MD, are
seeking successful strategies for muscle regeneration — ultimately
improving survival rates in traumatic injuries — through studies of the interactions
of bone marrow-derived cells and tissue-specific stem/progenitor cells on skeletal muscle
regeneration and angiogenesis (the process of developing new blood vessels). This R01 Diversity
Supplement grant will provide
funding to support postdoctoral research training for Dr. Wells.
More about Dr. Shireman |
More about Dr. Wells |
Surgery Summer 2009 Research E-News article
(7-20-09)

Congratulations to George M. Layton, MD, South Texas Poison Center
Specialist in Poison Information, whose
abstract, 'Increasing Poison Center Case Reports of Male Enhancement
Supplements in Texas' (Fernandez MC, Forrester MB) has been accepted
by the Special Interest Group on Herbs & Dietary Supplements for
presentation at the 2009 North American College of Clinical
Toxicology Annual Conference in San Antonio, TX.
More about South
Texas Poison Center faculty and staff |
South Texas Poison
Center (6-16-09)

Is there a gun in your home? National Ask Day is Sunday June 21:
Did you know that Nearly 1.7 million children in the U.S. under the age of 18 live
in homes with firearms that are both loaded and unlocked.
"They don't think it will happen to them. Car crashes, unintentional shootings,
those are tragedies that involve other peoples' children,"
says Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Chief of Trauma and Interim Chair of the
Department of Surgery. View KENS-5 story |
More about National ASK Day |
More about Dr. Stewart | (6-16-09)

Congratulations to V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, Cardiothoracic Surgery, who has been selected
as one of the Advanced Clinical Education Skills (ACES) Top 20 Preceptors:
ACES is the 2nd year medical student course that teaches the students the
intricacies of the history and physical exam on patients with abnormalities. Award-winning
preceptors were selected by the students for effort and dedication to teaching excellence.
Students' comments were overwhelmingly positive, making choosing the Top 20 a difficult
task — a compliment to the educators selected for the Top 20. |
More about Dr. Reddy
(6-16-09)

Society of International Humanitarian Surgeons Spring 2009 Newsletter:
More news from our residency program graduate, Adam Kushner, MD, MPH, one of the founding members
of the Society of International Humanitarian Surgeons (SIHS). SIHS is one of the
fastest growing international groups concerned with saving lives in the developing
world by improving surgical care.
Read newsletter (pdf file) |
Visit the SIHS website
(6-10-09)

In the Summer 2009 Vanguard Newsletter (a supplement the HSC's Mission magazine): $25,000 grant from
the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation to Luis Angel, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery and Pulmonary Medicine, and
Director of the UT Health Science Center lung transplantation program. The
award is in support of the Barbara Melikan Lung Transplantation Research Fund.
More about Dr. Angel |
More about our heart and lung
transplant program
(6-3-09)

Researchers
study trauma response using near-infrared rays:
Texas researchers, including Department of Surgery Associate Professor
Paula K. Shireman, MD, and General Surgery Resident Carlo Martinez, MD, MSCI, are using near-infrared
light waves and a contrast agent to detect tiny leaks in rodents’ blood vessels, then track the blood
as it pools in tissues. Vessel leaks and muscle damage can be measured,
and can serve as markers of damage or muscle death.
"In the IR-820 experiments, we are attempting to measure how much albumin leaves the vascular
system and how robust the injured tissue’s capacity is to remove it,"
Dr. Shireman said. "We are looking to see if the vascular system is not leaky anymore and whether there is regeneration of muscle."Read complete
story in the HSC News |
More about Dr. Shireman |
More about Dr. Martinez
(6-2-09)

Trauma centers want more of the Driver Responsibility Fund - Ronald Stewart, MD, Chief of Trauma, Interim Chair of the Department of Surgery and Medical
Trauma Director of University Hospital, interviewed on KENS-5:
Medical workers and hospital officials don’t want the legislature to use money collected in
the Driver Responsibility Fund for
trauma care to go toward balancing the state budget. The fund should be used for the
care of seriously injured Texans. "It really is a fee on bad driving that pays for
the consequences of bad driving," Stewart explained.
"It’s dramatically increased the number of trauma centers and access to care in rural
counties. And it’s increased access to care for the poor," Stewart said.
Read
KENS-5 story, view video |
Division of Trauma and Emergency Surgery |
More about Dr. Stewart
(5-21-09)

Outstanding Physician Award: Steve Wolf, MD, Vice Chair for Research for the
Department of Surgery:
More than 300 people filled the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio May 13
to honor individuals and organizations recognized as Health Care
Heroes for 2009 by the San Antonio Business Journal. Dr. Steven Wolf was
praised for his commitment to improving care for pediatric burn
patients, for conducting research in tissue regeneration and encouraging
students to improve the status quo.
Read more in HSC News
(5-19-09)

Cellular Healing: Steve Wolf, MD, Vice Chairman for Research, interviewed by
Newsweek magazine -
"Regenerative medicine experts are helping wounded vets regrow lost muscle tissue.
Will fingers and limbs be next? In classical mythology, Prometheus was
chained to a rock, where a vulture pecked out his liver every day. It
would have been nothing short of a catastrophe, but, this being
mythology, the organ grew back every night. In fact, liver tissue
actually will regenerate, if less than half the organ is removed.
(That's why transplants are possible from living donors.)"
Article by Anne Underwood,
Newsweek Web Exclusive, May 6, 2009 |
Newsweek Health page, related articles |
More about Dr. Wolf
(5-12-09)

Thelma Hurd, MD, Surgical Oncology, recently presented at two national
conferences:'Breast Cancer in Hispanic Women in Texas: Where to from Here?', April 2009,
Disparities in Cancer Care Symposium held during the 19th Annual meeting of
the Society of Black Academic Surgeons, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.'Determinants of Cancer Screening Practices in an Urban Mexican Community,'
April 2009, at the 100th American Association of Cancer Research in Denver,
CO. This work was ranked among the top 3-4% of papers accepted for poster presentation and
received the Highly Rated distinction. This distinction is shared by coauthors Dr. Thankum Sunil (UTSA),
Dr. Virginia Mika (UHS), Dr. Frank Moore (UTSPH San Antonio Extension) and Dr. Larry Morningstar
(UTHSCSA).
(5-8-09)

Congratulations and thank you to Wayne H. Schwesinger, MD, Professor
and Chief of Endoscopy, and Kenneth R. Sirinek, MD, PhD, Professor and Chief,
Division of General and Laparoendoscopic Surgery: In July 1974,
Dr. Schwesinger began his career with the School of Medicine, and Dr. Sirinek
joined our faculty in May 1979. The Department is grateful for their
continued academic and clinical excellent, and for their dedication to
the training of tomorrow's surgeons.
More about Dr. Schwesinger |
More about Dr. Sirinek |
Division of General and Laparoendoscopic
Surgery (5-4-09)

Congratulations to Miguel Fernández, MD, Associate Professor and
Medical Director of the South Texas Poison Center, who has been
appointed as the National Hispanic Medical Association representative
to a two-year term on the Governing Council of the Minority
Affairs Consortium (MAC) of the American Medical Association (AMA).
The AMA-MAC provides a national forum for advocacy on minority
health issues and professional concerns of minority physicians and
medical students.
More
about the AMA-MAC |
More about Dr. Fernández
(4-27-09)

With help from valiant volunteers, Steven Wolf, MD, Vice Chairman for Research, is
proving that with a little help from 'pixie dust,' limbs and lives might be saved:
More than 1200 returning warriors had injuries resulting
in amputations, and statistics show that more than half of all limb amputations each year in the U.S. are caused
by diabetes and its complications. Dr. Wolf is working with several high-profile U.S. researchers
in the field of tissue regeneration, using a substance derived from pig bladders that has the potential to regrow human tissue.
Read Spring 2009 MISSION article
(4-23-09)

Miguel Fernández, MD, Medical Director of the South Texas Poison Center, interviewed by KWEX-TV
for A Su Salud on the subject of Poisons in the home: We all have many common items in our
homes that we don't think of as poisons. Dr. Fernández discussed how families
can identify some of these common household poisons (cosmetics, charcoal, soaps, plants, etc.) and
how to protect their children from ingesting these items.
South Texas Poison Center website |
More about Dr. Fernández
(4-23-09)

Steven Wolf, MD, receives San Antonio Business Journal's Health Care Heroes Outstanding
Physician Award: Dr. Wolf, Vice Chairman for Research, Professor of Surgery, Betty and Bob Kelso
Distinguished Chair in Burn and Trauma Surgery, Chief of Clinical Research at the US Army Institute
of Surgical Research, and Director, University Hospital Pediatric Burn Program, was awarded San Antonio
Business Journal's
Outstanding Physician award on April 10, 2009. Dr. Wolf was one of six HSC faculty members, including interim
president William L. Henrich, MD, who received Health Care Heroes awards.
Inside UTHSCSA |
HSC News |
More about Dr. Wolf (4-21-09)

Miguel Fernández, MD, Medical Director of the South Texas Poison Center, spoke on behalf
of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Poison Control Program (Health Services
Administration) at the 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Pharmacists Association
in San Antonio. The topic of Dr. Fernández's was 'Improving Patient Safety: Success Stories of the Patient Safety
and Clinical Pharmacy Services Collaborative and the Poison Centers Role in Patient Safety.'
(4-14-09)

Howard Wang, MD, Interim Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and 2008 National Endowment Grant Award Winner, interviewed by Plastic
Surgery News - Exploring the promise of stem cells for reconstruction: With his
research team (David Sahar, MD, and Stacy Stephenson, MD, Plastic Surgery Residents), Dr.
Wang is investigating neovascularization of bony constructs using adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs).
The goal is to generate tissue in vitro from a donor site and, ultimately, be able
to implant this bony construct back into the patient for reconstruction. Ultimately, Dr.
Wang hopes that this research will lead to new reconstruction options for patients.
Read article | More about Dr. Wang |
More about Drs. Sahar and Stephenson
(4-8-09)

Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Surgery Interim Chairman (photo right), and Kent Van Sickle, MD, Assistant Professor,
General and Laparoendoscopic Surgery, visit local schools on
National Doctors' Day: On March 30, 2009, Dr. Stewart and Dr. Van Sickle spoke to future doctors Southside High School
and Stevens High School, each telling their personal story of how and why they became physicians. Students received
a 'FUTURE DOCTOR' t-shirt to mark the experience.
Read more in the April 2009 SOM News |
HSC News, 07 April 2009
(4-6-09)

Miguel Fernández, MD, Medical Director of the South Texas Poison Center, interviewed about Texas Legislature House Bill 23,
regarding meth lab disclosure:
This bill would add a meth lab disclosure requirement to leases.
"We have a saying in toxicology that there is nothing that is not a poison," Dr. Fernández said. "It's the
dose that makes the poison. And this really is pertinent to this scenario." HB 23 adds to current law regarding
disclosures to homebuyers, with a further requirement for landlords to inform renters before a lease is signed
that the property had been used
as a methamphetamine lab. Unlike asbestos or lead
contamination in a home, the effects of methamphetamine contamination may vary widely.
Read story in Express-News |
More about Dr. Fernández (4-3-09)

Soldiers of fortitude - HSC Mission Magazine, Spring 2009: With the help of a
few brave wounded warriors, Steve Wolf, MD, Vice Chairman for Research, Department of
Surgery, is helping to put the pieces back together for those who have lost limbs,
whether as a result of war or disease. Through regenerative medicine research and
the development of an extracellular matrix, Dr. Wolf and his associates here, at BAMC,
and at other institutions are helping the wounded to re-grow missing limbs.
More about Dr. Wolf (3-26-09)

Economic stress has effect on heart and overall health: Cardiothoracic surgeons V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA,
and Daniel T. DeArmond, MD, are interviewed by the San Antonio Express-News regarding the impact of a depressed
economy on the health and healthcare of South Texas pulmonary and cardiac patients. Both the
intensity of stress and the effect of stress on our bodies are potentially harmful for some
post-surgical patients. Read
Express-News story | More about Dr. Reddy |
More about Dr. DeArmond |
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
(3-19-09)

Congratulations to South Texas Poison Center
Assistant Director Lizette Villarreal,
and Director, Miguel Fernández, MD, on their successful submission for presentation of
two abstracts: 'Addressing health care disparities in
delivering poison center services to Spanish speakers in Texas,' has been accepted for poster
presentation to the
3rd Annual Health Disparities Conference in New Orleans, LA, March 2009.
Their abstract 'Regional
poison center hourly call-taker staffing and call volume' has been accepted for poster presentation
at the 29th International Congress of the European Association of Poison Centres and Clinical
Toxicologists in Stockholm, Sweden, in May 2009.
More about Lizette Villarreal |
More about Dr. Fernandez |
South Texas Poison Center
(3-12-09)

New heart surgery promises shorter hospital stay: Seenu V. Reddy, MD, MBA, performs first-time
minimally invasive heart surgery at Christus Santa Rosa. "This is a relatively newer technique," said
Dr. Reddy. Instead of opening the patient's chest, a small incision is made in the groin. Wires and
catheters are inserted through the incision, and will be used to insert a stent. Because this procedure
is significantly less invasive than traditional heart surgery, it is
especially useful for older patients who might not be in the best of health.
Read story on WOAI |
View WOAI Video |
More about Dr. Reddy | Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
(2-10-09)

Glenn A. Halff, MD, appointed Acting Dean of the School of Medicine: Dr. Halff is currently
a Professor of Surgery, Director of the Transplant Center. As Director of the Transplant Center, Dr. Halff leads a team of dedicated and talented
physicians, nurses and staff. Under his leadership, the liver transplant team has grown to the largest
in the nation. He has also served as Interim Chair of the Department of Surgery, and is highly respected
by the School, our faculty, and our clinical partners, and will be an effective leader for the School
of Medicine. Read HSC News article
(1-21-09)

Jeffrey McNeil, MD, USAF, Cardiothoracic Surgery, researching synthetic blood products: In
an effort to improve
surgical outcomes, the Air Force Surgeon General, Wilford Hall Medical Center, and
the UT Health Science Center San Antonio are collaborating in an ongoing research project at
the Health Science Center's Research Imaging Center. Their research is testing whether a synthetic
oxygen-saturated blood product can help the brain and other organs during major heart surgery, possibly
providing a protective boost for patients who may be at risk for
stroke or other internal injury.
Read Express-News article |
More about Dr. McNeil (1-15-09)

The Department of Surgery is deeply saddened to announce the death of
Michael Sanchez, MD, Interim Chief of the Division of Emergency
Medicine,
who died Sunday January 11, 2009, when struck by a motor vehicle while jogging.
Dr. Sanchez joined our Emergency Medicine Faculty in 2006, and was selected as
interim chief of the Division of Emergency Medicine in August 2008. In that role, Dr. Sanchez was
a tireless leader and a dynamic force engaged in revitalizing the University Hospital Emergency
Center and the UT Health Science Center's Division of Emergency Medicine.
Mike was a beloved figure, a passionate worker, a great clinician and a wonderful teacher.
He is survived by his wife and two daughters. A memorial service was held in San Antonio on Wednesday, January, 14, 2009.
Funeral and burial services were held on January 15, 2009, in New Mexico.
Read more |
University
Health System press release (1-12-09)

William L. Henrich appointed Interim President of UT Health Science Center San Antonio:
The UT System has announced the appointment of William L. Henrich, Dean of the School of Medicine, as
Interim President of UTHSCSA. Henrich will serve as interim president while the search is underway
for a permanent successor to Francisco G. Cigarroa, MD, who has been named Chancellor of the UT System.
Dr. Henrich also serves as vice president for medical affairs for the School of Medicine. |
Read UT System Announcement
(1-12-09)

Congratulations to Francisco Cigarroa, MD, UT Health Science Center President and Professor, Transplant Surgery,
on his appointment as Chancellor of the University of Texas System.
A member of the prestigious Institute of Medicine, Cigarroa is a recognized pediatric transplant surgeon and researcher.
He joined the health science center faculty in 1995, where prior to his appointment as president he was
director of pediatric surgery and director of abdominal transplant surgery. He serves on the medical staffs at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital and University Hospital, among others.
Read UT System News Release
(1-9-09)

Congratulations to Kent Van Sickle, MD, General Surgery, director of the Johnson Center for
Surgical Innovation, who has been selected as the
President-Elect of the statewide Texas Association of Surgical Skills Laboratories (TASSL). As one of the
founding members of TASSL, Dr. Van Sickle is strongly supportive of their mission to enhance
surgical education and simulation-based training through collaboration and research.
Learn more about TASSL |
More about Dr. Van Sickle |
Johnson Center for Surgical Innovation (1-09-09)

Congratulations to Surgery Administrator, Michelle Price, PhD, who has been selected as one of
San Antonio Business Journal's '40 Under 40 Rising Stars' for 2008. This award honors young people
in San Antonio who are making a difference in the business world and the community. Read
story in San Antonio Business Journal |
More about Dr. Price (12-09-08)

Congratulations to Luis Angel, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery and Pulmonary Medicine
on his award of $25,000 for lung transplant research from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, Menlo Park,
California, for the Barbara Melikan Lung
Transplantation Research Fund. More about Dr. Angel (12-8-08)

Congratulations to V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, FACS, Cardiothoracic Surgery,
who has been awarded a $40,000 University Research Council grant for his ongoing research project,
'IL-18 expression in human cardiovascular tissue and its role in left ventricular hypertrophy.'
Dr. Reddy and his research team have previously demonstrated in a mouse model that
IL18 stimulates cardiomyocytes in a manner that is consistent with
cellular hypertrophy, and that IL-18 is highly up-regulated in heart
tissue biopsies of patients with pressure overload, simultaneously with
increased accumulation of collagen. If IL-18 could be identified as an
important factor in the hypertrophic changes that occur in patients with
aortic stenosis, then pharmacological interventions could be sought,
including cases where there is too little space for valve replacement.
More about Dr. Reddy (12-4-08)

Congratulations to Daniel T. DeArmond, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery, who has been awarded a $40k
University Research Council grant for his ongoing research project, 'Differentiating between organ rejection and
infection in a rat model of lung transplantation using PET scanning.' Treatment of organ rejection and
infection require very different therapeutic paths - infection is treated by increasing host immune
response to the infectious agents, and organ rejection is treated with immunosuppressants. Determining whether the illness
is due to infection or organ rejection will allow physicians to be able to provide timely and appropriate treatment
for their critically
ill transplant patients. More about Dr. DeArmond
(12-3-08)

Two year old Chinese boy alive thanks to new San Antonio charity:
Pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons repair hole in child's heart - "He had a very formidable defect," says
John Calhoon, MD,
Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery. "There was a blockage of blood flow to his lungs and a
hole in his heart." The surgery was done last week, and now,
Jian is back up and playing like a normal child.
More about Dr. Calhoon |
Read story on WOAI.com |
More about HeartGift San Antonio
(11-20-08)

Use of robotic surgery
expanded to early-stage lung cancer:
In mid-October, Daniel DeArmond, M.D., assistant professor of surgery,
removed the lobe of a patient’s lung by making small incisions in the
chest and inserting miniature instruments that he maneuvered remotely,
using handles and pedals from a console six feet away.
Read HSC News article |
More about Dr. DeArmond |
Learn more about the da Vinci® system |
Physician Referrals: 210-358-4579
(11-4-0)

UT Medicine opens San Antonio Westover Hills Clinic: Our newest clinic opened Oct 20 in the rapidly-growing
Westover Hills area of San Antonio. Specialty areas available will include vascular and general surgery, as
well as cardiology, pulmonary medicine, gastroenterology, and family medicine. The clinic is
located on Highway 151 between Wiseman and Westover Hills Boulevard.
Read HSC
News article (10-29-08)

Dan DeArmond, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery, explains precision robotic lung cancer surgery options: Patients whose
lung cancer has been caught very early now have a minimally invasive surgical option at Christus Santa
Rosa Northwest — da Vinci® robotic surgery. Using the da Vinci robotic system, Dr. DeArmond is
able to perform lung tissue resections with minimal incisions, greatly reducing the patient's recovery and
in-patient days.
"If this tool can help us to move that frontier forward, then it's an advantage to patients," says
Dr. DeArmond. This surgery is not
for all lung cancer patients, but for those whose disease has been caught soon enough, long-term
survival rates are a very encouraging 80%.
More about Dr. DeArmond |
Learn more about the da Vinci® system |
Physician Referrals: 210-358-4579 (10-16-08)

Congratulations to Michael Sanchez, MD, Interim Chief of Emergency Medicine, and his divisional
faculty and staff, who have successfully recruited two dynamic physicians:
Cristina Salmon, MD, will join our faculty as an assistant professor on December 1,
2008. Claire E. Escamilla, MD, FACEP, will also join our faculty as an assistant professor on December 1,
2008.
Please visit our New Faculty and Staff welcome page for
more information on our new faculty. (10-07-08)

Congratulations to Thelma C. Hurd, MD, Associate Professor and Director, Breast Surgery Program, who
has recently been awarded two research grants. The first, from the National Cancer
Institute (August 2008-2010, $369,994) is for her project titled
'Improved Cancer Screening: Life Skills Training in South Texas Hispanic
Communities'. This project will be studying the effect of life skills training on breast
and cervical cancer screening health behaviors among Mexican women in
Laredo, Eagle Pass and Corpus Christi.
The second grant has been awarded by the National Institutes of Health
(May 2008-May 2013, $26,332,750). Dr. Hurd serves as co-investigator with the
Community Engagement Core for the project titled 'Institute for
Integration of Medicine & Science: A Partnership to Improve Health
(U54),' implementing a Community Outreach,
Participation, and Engagement (COPE) program to promote community-academic research
partnerships in South Texas. More about Dr. Hurd (10-3-08)

Congratulations to Howard T. Wang, MD, Interim Chief, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, who has
been awarded a $49,911 grant by the National Endowment for Plastic Surgery and
the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation for Dr. Wang's research project,
"Neovascularization of bony construct using adipose tissue-derived stem cells". The
National Endowment was established to fund meritorious projects in the field of
plastic surgery, focusing on issues of immediate need and great promise. More about Dr. Wang
(10-1-08)

V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, Cardiothoracic Surgery, uses laser surgery to relieve
otherwise untreatable chest pain: Many patients
with chronic, life-limiting chest pain will be able to benefit from a procedure
called sole therapy transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMR). In San Antonio, the procedure is available
only at University Hospital.
Dr. Reddy is
director of thoracic aortic surgery for the UT Health Science Center
San Antonio Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery.
Read more |
More about Dr. ReddyView animation video demonstrating the TMR procedure (video will open in a new browser window) |
Animation video graciously provided by Cardiogenesis
(9-30-08)

Boulos Toursarkissian, MD, Chief of Vascular Surgery, and the Department of Surgery
Chair's Office are extremely pleased to announce the recruitment of a new faculty member for
vascular surgery: Matthew J. Sideman, MD.
Please visit our New Faculty and Staff welcome page to learn
more about our new faculty. (9-26-08)

Friday, 21 Nov 2008 - Shattered Dreams 10th Anniversary Reunion:
To celebrate the program;s 10 year anniversary, the Texas Statewide
Shattered Dreams Coalition would like past student participants,
teachers, program coordinators, planning team members, and original
program collaborators to attend a reunion celebration on Friday,
November 21, 2008 at the University of Texas Health Science Center San
Antonio Auditorium. More information
(9-24-08)

The Department of Surgery is pleased to announce the appointment of
Michael Sanchez, MD, as Interim Chief of Emergency Medicine.
Dr. Sanchez has been
a member of the Emergency Medicine community in South Texas for the past
14 years. Two years ago he joined our faculty at UTHSCSA. Mike is
committed to developing a smoothly functioning Emergency Center, and an
Emergency Medicine Residency program. More about Dr. Sanchez
(8-25-08)

University Health System has one of nation's top high-tech hospitals:
University Health System has been recognized as one of 100 Most Wired Hospitals and Health Systems in the country.
began integrating its electronic medical record system in March of 2006, and the use of paper orders and records has been greatly decreasing ever since.
“We put the patient first in every decision we make, so our commitment to integrating the latest technologies at University Hospital, and across our network of community clinics, is first and foremost about delivering the highest quality of care possible,” says University Health System President and CEO George Hernandez Jr.
Read San Antonio Business Journal story
(8-7-08)

Researchers exploring regeneration of human tissues:
A substance derived from pig bladders is being scrutinized as a
potential way to regenerate parts of the body, such as fingers and
muscles, that have been lost to battlefield injuries, said Steven Wolf,
MD, Vice Chair for Surgery Research, UT Health Science Center School of Medicine,
Department of Surgery.
Read HSC News article
(8-1-08)

Steven Wolf, MD, Surgery Vice Chairman for Research, interviewed about tissue regeneration: Using a biomedically engineered
matrix, surgeons and physicians are now using exciting new procedures to help damaged or missing
tissue re-grow for our returning warriors.
KSAT Interview
(7-16-08)

Maj. James Connaughton, MD, appointed as cancer liaison physician for Wilford Hall:
Dr. Connaughton, a graduate of the UTHSCSA General Surgery residency program, will
be instrumental in spearheading the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer initiatives within the hospital's cancer program.
Read complete WHMC News story
(7-11-08)

Bexar County Commissioners set bond sales for hospital development, expansion funds:
In a 4-1 vote Tuesday, July 8, 2008, commissioners voted to go forward with two bond sales to complete
the first phase of a $900 million expansion and renovation of University Hospital and its downtown
clinics. Dr. Ronald Stewart, chief of trauma, said the emergency room at University Hospital is
often overflowing with patients because no beds are available. "Patients are at risk. Literally,
lives are at risk," Stewart said.
Read Express-News story |
More about Dr. Stewart | More about University Hospital
(7-9-08)

Congratulations to Trauma and Emergency Surgery research nurse, Janet McCarthy, RN, CCRC, who has received Nurse Imagemaker of South Texas award.
The honor was bestowed jointly by the Delta Alpha chapter
of Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Nursing Honor Society and the
Texas Nurses Association, District 8. Read full story |
More about Trauma Research
(7-2-08)

Ronald Stewart, MD, Chief of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, comments on the recent rise in
the number of motorcycle accident injuries.
With the rising cost of fuel, many South Texans are moving to two-wheeled vehicles. And motorcycle
accidents are rising proportionally. University Hospital motorcycle wreck statistics show a steady
increase, along with the steady increase in the cost of gas.
More about Dr. Stewart
(6-26-08)

Ronald Stewart, MD, Chief of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, discusses children's risk of dog
attacks during the hot summer months in KENS-5 interview. Parents can teach their children
three strategies to stay safer around dangerous dogs: don't look dogs in the eyes, lie still and quietly if
knocked to the ground by a dog, and don't bother a dog that is eating, drinking, or caring for puppies.
More about Dr. Stewart
(6-25-08)

John Calhoon, MD: Heart-Felt Heart Surgery: The June-July 2008 issue of NSIDE SA Medical Journal
features Dr. Calhoon, chief of cardiothoracic surgery, in an article describing Dr. Calhoon's vast
knowledge and the many pathways of his 20 year career as a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Read article. | More about Dr.
Calhoon (6-17-08)

The Department of Surgery is pleased to announce the selection of
Howard T. Wang, MD, as Interim Chief of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Dr. Wang attended medical school at Johns Hopkins; he completed a surgical residency and 2 year research fellowship
at the University of Rochester, and a 3 year Duke University plastic surgery residency. Dr. Wang has been
a member of our plastic surgery division for three years, and has served as director of the Plastic Surgery
Residency Program for the past year.
More about Dr. Wang | More about the
Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
(6-16-08)

Maureen Sheehan, MD, Vascular Surgery, interviewed on WOAI San Antonio on DVT - Deep Vein Thrombosis:
Long hours of driving can put us in danger of developing DVT - blood clots forming in your
legs from all those hours spent sitting in the same position mile after mile. Dr. Sheehan discusses
symptoms of DVT and ways to prevent and detect DVT.
Read WOAI News story, view video |
More about Dr. Sheehan
(5-19-08)

Leo Cuello, MD, first chair of cardiothoracic surgery at the UT Health
Science Center at San Antonio School of Medicine, passed away early on
Monday, May 12, 2008. Dr. Cuello, who served as the chair of
cardiothoracic surgery from 1966 – 1972, was an accomplished and well-respected physician
and a great friend of San Antonio. He had many great achievements
over his long career, and continued throughout his professional and
personal life as an advocate for his patients. Dr. Cuello will be missed
by the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, as well the rest of the
University and the city he loved. (5-12-08)

Physician and educator shares his love of the art and science of surgery:
Bob Esterl, MD, Surgery Medical School Education Director and Professor of Surgery (Transplant),
is featured in the first edition of the School of Medicine's
Future magazine.
Since 1994, Dr. Esterl has been sharing his experience, knowledge and skills as a transplant surgeon, and has won
numerous teaching awards, many of them awards from the students themselves.
Read article (4-30-08)

Congratulations to Thelma Hurd, MD, Associate Professor, Surgical Oncology,
who has been selected to receive the President's Volunteer Service Award and Congressinoal Awards at the
United Nations General Assembly, New York, in recognition of her service and ongoing work in Nigeria with the
Africa Cancer Prevention Group, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and the Center for Research on Minority
Health.
More about Dr. Hurd | More about Dr. Hurd's award
(4-30-08)

Congratulations to Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, John Calhoon, MD, who has been chosen as
an Outstanding Physician – one of San Antonio's Health Care Heroes in 2008 – by the San Antonio Business Journal,
recognizing health care professionals who make a difference in health care in San Antonio. (4-23-08)

Congratulations to Paula K. Shireman, MD, Vascular Surgery, on
receiving R01 funding from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council on the
recommendation of the National Institutes of Health Scientific
Review Group for her research project, "Chemokines and Immune Cells in Hind Limb Ischemia." (3-07-08)

Anti-rejection nanotherapy shows promise in rodent lung transplant model:
Rejection can lead to failure of transplanted lungs. Scott Johnson, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery, is
one of many participants in a new study testing nanoparticle
aerosol therapy to prevent post-transplant rejection, in the hopes that aerosol therapy will more
directly target the lungs than traditional high-dose medications.
Read HSC press release. (3-6-08)

Dr. Scott Johnson interviewed on KENS-5: Local scientists testing lung transplant drug on
rats. Each year 1,500 American lives are saved by lung transplants but there is a high rate of
rejection. Now, some scientists are trying to find a better way ....
View KENS-5 video.
(3-12-08)

On Sunday, March 9, 2008, Basil A. Pruitt, Jr., MD, FACS, FACM, will be awarded the 2008 King Faisal
International Prize for Medicine in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Dr. Pruitt has been an innovator in
trauma and burn management for nearly 50 years while caring for thousands of American soldiers.
Read complete press release. | SA Biz Journal article
(3-5-08)

Col. William Clouse, MD, and Col. David Smith, MD, were each awarded the Bronze Star during ceremony at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center.
The Bronze Star is awarded to military personnel who distinguish themselves by heroic or meritorious
achievement or service in connection with operations against an armed enemy. Dr. Clouse and Dr. Smith
are both active leaders in the Dept of Surgery's General Surgery residency program.
Read WHMC press release.
(3-5-08)

Francisco Cigarroa, MD, HSC President and Professor of Surgery, Organ Transplantation,
inducted into Mexican American/Hispanic Physicians Association Hall of Fame in February 2008.
Dr. Cigarroa, appointed President of the University in 2000, is the first Hispanic president of
a health science center in the US.
Read HSC News article.
(2-29-08)

Steven Wolf, MD, Bob & Betty Kelso Distinguished Chair in Burn Research and Professor of
Trauma, has been appointed Vice Chairman for Research for Department of Surgery.
Dr. Wolf was selected for this role based on his
extensive research and administrative experience.
Click here to read more.
(2-29-08)

HSC physicians take part in Nigerian medical mission:
Coordinated by Stanley Okoro, MD, plastic surgery fellow, the team also included
an anesthesiologist and a first-year anesthesiology resident from the HSC; the team
spent two weeks caring for indigent patients in southeastern Nigeria.
Read story in HSC News.
(2-15-08)

The HSC Jocelyn and Joe Straus Endowed Chair in Trauma Research,
established in September 2007, will be held by Ronald M. Stewart, MD,
Chief of Trauma and Emergency Surgery for the UT Health Science Center San Antonio Department of
Surgery. The endowment from the Straus family will help to fund research to improve
traumatic injury outcomes.
(1-24-08)

SURGERY RECEIVES NIH T32 RESEARCH TRAINING GRANT: The Department of Surgery is pleased to have been awarded an NIH T32 training grant to support
our surgical resident research training program. The five-year grant will provide stipend and research funds for residents
during their two-year research assignments (PI - Stephen M. Cohn, MD).
Of the 248 U.S. surgical residency training programs, the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio's
general surgery research residency program is one of only 33 to have
received NIH T32 funding.
(1-22-08)

The Allograft Resources Tissue Bank, part of The Transplant Center, has been
awarded the prestigious accreditation of the American Association of Tissue
Banks (AATB). Read story in HSC News
(1-20-08)

Surgeon has built transplant program that has real heart: (San Antonio Business Journal,
1-21-08) Dr. John Calhoon, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, is an outstanding educator, and
the major clinical and educational driving force behind the UT Health Science Center's extremely
successful cardiothoracic surgery program.
Read article in SA Business Journal
(1-18-08)

The Department of Surgery is pleased to announce NIH award of a T32 training grant to support
research training. The five-year grant will provide stipend and research funds for residents
during their two-year research training assignments. (PI: Stephen M. Cohn, MD)
(1-18-08)

New options open up for treating heart problems in children: article (1-11-08
San Antonio Business Journal) by John Calhoon, MD,
Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Congenital heart disease is the leading cause of infant mortality in the
US, representing 36 percent of all infant deaths due to birth defects,
according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
Read article in
San Antonio Business Journal (1-16-08)

Daniel Dent, MD, Associate Professor of Trauma Surgery, was interviewed in Spanish by
Univision 41 television for a weekly news
segment on 'Blood Donation with Trauma,' as part of a media campaign for community-based
injury prevention awareness by the
South Texas Injury Prevention and Research Center's A Su Salud program.
More about A Su Salud |
More about Dr. Dent's interview
(1-15-08)

Wayne Schwesinger, MD, Professor of Surgery (Division of General & Laparoendoscopic Surgery),
will be awarded the 2008 Clinical
Excellence Award on January 31, 2008. This award recognizes Dr. Schwesinger's
superlative clinical service here at the Health Science Center and in the San Antonio community.
View video about Dr. Schwesinger.
(1-15-08)

Early January Newsletter from Balad, Irag: Snow and surgical team replacements are arriving at the Balad
Air Force Theater Hospital, and Surgery's Steve Bowers will be heading home soon.
Read early January 2008 newsletter.
(1-14-08)

Congratulations to V. Seenu Reddy, MD, Asst. Prof. of Cardiothoracic Surgery, on his selection as
one of the San Antonio Business Journal's 2007 40 under 40, San Antonio's
Rising Stars business executives who have focused at an early age on
what it takes to succeed. Dr. Reddy is profiled in a special print edition of the Dec. 21, 2007,
San Antonio Business Journal. (12-31-07)

Life in Balad: Late December 2007 Newsletter from the Balad Air Force
Theater Hospital 332nd EMDG - Surgical Operations: Steaks, music, Robin Williams, and the Dallas
Cowboy Cheerleaders help to brighten Christmas in Balad.
Click here to read newsletter. (12-31-07)

Steven Wolf, MD, professor of surgery, director of the US Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn
Center at BAMC, director of the Pediatric Burn
Program at University Hospital, and Betty and Bob Kelso Distinguished
Chair in Burn and Trauma Surgery, talks with KENS-5's Wendy Rigby about
the Pediatric
Burn unit, and the dangers children face from fire, cooking ovens and
rangetops, candles, etc. this
time of year.
(12-19-07)

Miguel Fernandez, Asst Prof of Surgery and Director of the
South Texas Poison Center, was interviewed on KENS-5's Great Day SA to discuss one of the hottest
topics this holiday season - lead in kids' toys.
View KENS-5 video.
(12-12-07)

Life in Balad: December 2007 Newsletter from the Balad Air Force
Theater Hospital 332nd EMDG - Surgical Operations: With fewer American and more anti-Iraqi patients, it looks
as though things are going well; unfortunately, still far too many children
are caught in the crossfire of war.
Click here to read newsletter. (12-12-07)

When doctors get sick, who do they call? Congratulations to Surgery's 2007 Texas Monthly Super Docs!
Drs. Wayne Schwesinger, General Surgery; Scott Johnson,
John Calhoon (Chief) and Ed Sako of Cardiothoracic Surgery; and Ronny Stewart, Chief of Trauma, are all included in this year's Super Doctors for 2007.
Super Docs are chosen by their peers, and are recognized for their professional, outstanding achievement. The list will be
published in the December 2007 edition of Texas Monthly magazine.
(11-15-07)

Life in Balad: Newsletter from the Balad Air Force
Theater Hospital 332nd EMDG - Surgical Operations: Halfway through a 4-month rotation, the surgeons
in Balad update us - service casualties near a war-time low, but injuries of Iraqi children at a war-time high.
Click here to read newsletter. (11-12-07)

HSC establishes distinguished chair in burn and trauma surgery:
A $1M gift from San Antonio philanthropists Betty and Col. Robert E. Kelso to UTHSCSA will ensure
that San Antonio remains the nation's leader in burn and trauma surgery.
Read HSC ews story.
(11-12-07)

SA being positioned as a major trauma hub: San Antonio's military and civilian medical experts
are positioning the city as one of the nation's major centers for trauma research and treatment.
Read story in
SA Express-News
(11-7-07)

Study says artificial blood may carry risks: A national two-year study of an
experimental blood substitute in critically injured patients, found that those transfused
with the artificial blood were more likely to suffer a non-fatal heart attack.
Read story in
SA Express-News
(11-7-07)

University Hospital's emergency room is in crisis: Day or night, peer through the large glass
windows into University's crowded ER and you'll glimpse a microcosm of America's health care crisis.
Read more
in San Antonio Express-News (9-09-07)

Valero Energy Corp. donates $5 million to Health Science Center: A large part of the donation
will be dedicated to transplantation research and to create a Distinguished Chair in Transplantation.
This donation has a "world-changing impact," says University President Francisco Cigarroa, MD, a transplant
surgeon.
Read more
in San Antonio Express-News (8-29-07)

Robert Esterl, MD, Professor of Surgery and Director of Medical Student Education
receives title of Distinguished Teaching Professor: Selected by the University of
Texas Academy of Health Science Education, this honor recognizes faculty members who have made a
significant and outstanding contribution to education.
Read HSC News article.
(8-27-07)

Inside Job – Endovascular Experts:
With new technology and the addition of top-notch faculty, the program has expanded to include the less-invasive technique for the thoracic aorta. The program takes a multidisciplinary approach to health care.
Read more in the latest
Mission magazine. (8-22-07)

13th Annual Trauma Symposium:
Trauma care for civilians, GIs on agenda:
Caring for the injured in a war zone is about getting to the right
soldier at the right time. A new technology being developed by a
national trauma consortium based in San Antonio would help prioritize
that process by keeping constant track of soldiers' vital signs, then
beaming them back wirelessly to medics in the field.
Read this and other news stories about hte
Trauma Symposium (8-21-07)

Congratulations to Carlo Martinez, MD, on receiving NIH Loan Repayment approval. The NIH Health
Disparities Loan Repayment Program will assist Dr. Martinez in repayment of approximately $70k in educational loans, in return for his
fulfillment of a non-profit research service obligation here at the Health Science Center. For more information on
how the NIH Loan Repayment Program can help you repay your educational loans, please
visit the NIH LRP website.
(8-08-07)

Congratulations to Thelma Hurd, MD, Surgical Oncology. Her poster presentation, "How is Cancer
Information Disseminated Outside of a Formal Community Based Cancer Education Program," has been
accepted for presentation as a poster at the American Association for Cancer Education annual meeting
in September 2007, and will be published in the Journal of Cancer Education. (7-30-07)

Steven E. Wolf, MD, Trauma, holder of the Betty and Bob Kelso Distinguished
Chair in Burn and Trauma Surgery, and Col. John B. Holcomb, MD, Trauma, are UTHSCSA faculty members of a team who
developed an adjustable arm sling. The sling fits on the rails of a hospital bed, and helps soldiers
heal with less swelling and impairment after serious upper-extremity burns.
Read HSC News story ... (7-30-07)

Daniel Dent, MD, Trauma, and Director of the General Surgery Residency Program, has been
selected as incoming chair for the University's Committee on Committees. Members of this committee are
elected by the full-time faculty of the Health Science Center. (7-25-07)

Congratulations to Ronald Stewart, MD, Chief of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, on his selection
as recipient of this year's Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine award. The recipient of this award is
selected by both students and Health Science Center faculty. Dr. Stewart will be the keynote speaker
at this year's School of Medicine White Coat Ceremony on July 22, 2007, welcoming the incoming first year
medical students. (7-10-07)

Congratulations to Basil Pruitt, MD, who has been named 2007-2008 President of the North American/United
States Shock Society, an organization dedicated to improving the care of victims of trauma, shock,
and sepsis through research, education, and mentoring of the next generation of investigators and
care providers. (6-28-07)

Congratulations again to Dr. Basil Pruitt, who has been awarded the Roswell Park Medal of the
Buffalo Surgical Society. This prestigious honor is given annually to a surgeon who has contributed
significantly to the art and science of surgery. Past winners have included Drs. Allan Whipple and
Michael DeBakey, and Denton Cooley. (6-28-07)

Congratulations to Cherie Benson, Perfusionist, on her appointment to the Perioperative
Blood Management Taskforce, under the auspices of the American Society of Extracorporeal
Technology (AMSECT). The taskforce's goal is to identify, evaluate, and promote methods of
blood management through educational processes, thereby improving patient outcomes and enhancing patient
safety. (6-26-07)

Congratulations to V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, Cardiothoracic Surgery, who has been selected as a member
of the 2007-2008 American Heart Association Board of Directors.
(6-26-07)

Johnson Center for Surgical Innovation opening ceremonies were held on June 21, 2007. More than
three years of research, planning and development have culminated in a state-of-the-art training facility
for surgical training for our medical students, residents, fellows and faculty.
KENS-5 Video |
HSC News |
Read more.
(6-26-07)

Congratulations to Steven Wolf, MD, Trauma on being awarded the Betty and Bob Kelso Distinguished
Chair in Burn and Trauma Surgery, announced May 29, 2007, by William Henrich, MD, Dean of the School of
Medicine, and Francisco Cigarroa, MD, University President.
(5-31-07)

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy International Referral Center: The UTHSCSA Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Clinic, staffed by both
cardiologists from Medicine's Division of
Cardiology and Surgery's cardiothoracic surgeons, is one of only 14 international referral
centers for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, as well as being a Center of Excellence in the treatment
and care of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The clinic provides a full spectrum of medical
and surgical care, including medical therapy, septal alcohol ablation, and operative septal
myectomy. For more info on our HCM clinic, please email Andrea Carpenter, MD. (5-4-07)

Miguel Fernandez, MD, Director, South Texas Poison Center, served as a panel moderator and led a
workshop entitled "Health Professions Education: Future Direction of Medical Curriculum Development," for the
11th Annual Conference of the National Hispanic Medical Association in March 2007. Other participants and presenters
included Francisco Cigarroa, MD, President of UTHSCSA, and Leonel Vela, MD, Dean, Regional Academic Health Center in Harlingen.
(4-19-07)

Congratulations to Michelle Price, Surgery Administrator, who has recently been awarded her PhD
in Behavioral Sciences (Biostatistics, Management & Policy minors), from the University of Texas - School of Public Health.
(4-9-07)

Congratulations to Thelma Hurd, MD, General Surgery/Surgical Oncology, who has been
selected as one of the minority health
researchers to be honored at the upcoming National Minority Awareness Week event April 17, 2007, in
Houston, TX. (4-9-07)

Congratulations to Dr. John Calhoon, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, who has been honored
at the 22nd Annual Heart Ball on March 30, 2007, in gratitude for his outstanding work in cardiovascular
public education and supporting the mission of the AHA. Read more ... (4-2-07)

Congratulations to Dr. Luis Angel (Cardiothoracic Surgery) for achieving the goals set in the
Surgery Department 2006 Lead or Senior Author Incentive Program. Dr. Angel is co-director of the lung
transplantation program and head of interventional pulmonary medicine within cardiothoracic
surgery. Please visit Dr. Angel's faculty
profile for more information on his academic and clinical accomplishments. (3-16-07)

Congratulations to Cardiothoracic Surgery's Dr. V. Seenu Reddy, who is serving as Chair
of the ACGME Resident Committee.
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
(ACGME), the organization that accredits GME programs in
the U.S., consists of 28 ACGME Review Committees. Of the
28 elected chairs, 4 are held by our own UTHSCSA faculty, including Dr. Reddy.

Thelma Hurd, MD, Surgical Oncology, discusses mammography and screening on behalf of the San Antonio
affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation on the Wednesday, March 14,
San Antonio Living show on WOAI. San Antonio's Race for the Cure will be on Saturday,
March 31, 2007 at the Alamodome. Click
here to register for the race. | WOAI's San Antonio Living (3-13-07)

Congratulations to Miguel Fernández, MD, Director of the South Texas Poison Center who
received the Mayoral
Proclamation for National Poison Prevention Week on March 13, 2007 at the Joint Meeting of the
Central Texas Society of Health System Pharmacists and the Bexar County Pharmacy Association.

Basil A. Pruitt, Jr., MD, FACS, FCCM, Professor, Division of Trauma, has received the Society of University Surgeons
Lifetime Achievement Award. The award, for extraordinary achievements in the field of academic surgery,
was presented at the recent Academic Surgical Congress in Phoenix, AZ. Read more about Dr. Pruitt
(02-22-07)

Charles Bauer, MD, Emergency Medicine, addressed the 2nd session of the 'Preparing for and
Responding to Disaster in North America' conference on the topic of an avian flu pandemic. The
conference, held in early November at the downtown UTSA campus, focused on US, Canadian, and
Mexican efforts to plan and respond to significant natural and man-made disasters on the North American
continent.

Congratulations to Dr. Boulos Toursarkissian for his selection as one of the
recipients of the 2007 Presidential Clinical Excellence Award. Dr. Toursarkissian was
selected for this honor by a committee of Health Science Center employees and his peers. President
Cigarroa will present the award at the annual Presidential Awards Ceremony on January 25, 2007.

Dr. Boulos Toursarkissian, Chief of Vascular Surgery, has been named a Distinguished Reviewer
for the Journal of Vascular Surgery. The Journal provides cardiothoracic, vascular, and general surgeons
with the most recent information in vascular surgery on behalf of the Society for Vascular
Surgery, and ranks in the top 5% of the almost 6000 scientific journals most frequently cited.

Congratulations to Dr. Seenu Reddy, Cardiothoracic Surgery, on his
continuing service to the ACGME as a member of their Board of
Directors. Dr. Reddy has been instrumental as the assistant residency
program director for the cardiothoracic surgery division, and is
currently working to establish the first integrated six-year thoracic
surgical program nationally. Dr. Reddy also serves on ACGME's Committee for Improvement
of the Learning Environment and a special task force on introducing Learning Portfolios
to Resident Education.

Congratulations to Surgery employees receiving service awards: 25 years service for Patti Ruffin, Trauma, and
Cynthia Garza, Accounting; 10 years service for Alfredo Gonzalez, South Texas Poison Center; and 5 year
service awards for John Kodosky, James Morgan, Reenie Lopez, Kenneth Galfo, and Larry Wooldridge in Emergency Medicine, and
Thelma Aguirre in Transplant.

Study confirms success of device for trauma patients: Dr. Stephen Cohn, Professor, Division of Trauma,
served as lead investigator in a multi-site StO2 trauma study; results
were presented at the recent American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Meeting.
Read HSC
News story ...

Health Science Center breaks ground for ambulatory center: UTHSCSA held groundbreaking ceremonies Oct. 24 for
construction of the new ambulatory care center for clinical, research and educational excellence.

TRISAT receives Congressional funding: The Trauma Division is pleased to announce that TRISAT has received $1 million in
Congressional FY07 funds. The appropriations request was sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith. Dr.
Ronald Stewart is Chairman of the TRISAT Board and PI of this grant.

Advances
help doctors, improve teaching and reduce patients' recovery time (San Antonio
Express-News, Oct 10, 2006). Telesurgery, technology & education in the 21st century: Microscopic cameras at the end of scopes placed by
Dr. David Jimenez, Neurosurgery, and Dr. Constance Barone, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, in their young patient's
head give learners glimpses into the procedure they'd never get otherwise

The Trauma Division is pleased to announce that TRISAT
(Trauma Institute of San Antonio) has been awarded a Department of Defense grant of $1.35 million for
trauma and burn research. Dr. Ronald Stewart, Chief of Trauma, is the principal investigator; these funds
will be used for multi-site, mutli-study research between the Health
Science Center, Brooke Army Medical Center, and Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center.

Ralph Terpolilli, MD, served as an oral examiner for the American Board of Emergency
Medicine. The Board has expressed their gratitude for Dr. Terpolilli's participation in this demanding
and time-consuming process.

Dr. John Calhoon, Cardiothoracic Surgery, joined the KENS-5 Backyard Barbecue
and the family of Raymond Marek on Friday, September 1 to
celebrate the 18th anniversary of Mr. Marek's heart transplant and 2 year anniversary of his kidney transplant.Celebrate Life - become an organ donor!

Dr. Scott Johnson, Chief of General Thoracic Surgery, talks with KENS-5's Wendy Rigby
about long-term antacid use masking esophageal adenocarcinoma. Worldwide in the past 25 years,
incidence of
esophageal adenocarcinoma has increased 350 percent faster than other forms of cancer.

Congratulations to Edward Y. Sako, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery, who has
been unanimously selected as
a member of the VA Cardiac Surgery Consultants Board (CSCB). The CSCB
is a special advisory board appointed
to advise the Undersecretary of Health through the Department of
Veterans Affairs Director of Surgical Service for the cardiac surgery
programs. Read HSC News story

Congratulations to Dr. Boulos Toursarkissian, Vascular Surgery,
who has been honored by being selected to fill a 3-year term as an Examination Consultant by the Vascular Surgery Board of the American Board
of Surgery.

Congratulations to Dr. Basil Pruitt, Professor, Trauma, for his award from the
International Burn Foundation. Dr. Pruitt has been chosen to receive the prestigious
Tanner-Vandeput-Boswick (TVB) Burn Prize of $100,000, which will be awarded at the ISBI Congress in Brazil in September.

The University and the Department of Surgery gratefully acknowledge
Dr. H. David Root's generous endowment to
establish a Critical Care Lecture Series in the Department of Surgery. Recruited to
the department in 1966 by our first Chair, Dr. J.
Bradley Aust, Dr. Root is considered
one of the 'fathers' of the Department of Surgery.

Congratulations to Charles Bauer, MD, Emergency Medicine, on
his two-year appointment as Chair of
the Texas Medical Association committee on EMS and Trauma.

Congratulations to Gabe Martyak, MD, Emergency Medicine,
on his promotion from Assistant to Associate Dean of the School of Medicine. As
Associate Dean for UT Medicine and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Martyak
continues to be responsible for the day-to-day activities of UT
Medicine, as well as continuing his work with the Dean's Clinical Group.

Congratulations to Edward Y. Sako, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery, who has
been unanimously selected as
a member of the VA Cardiac Surgery Consultants Board (CSCB). The CSCB
is a special advisory board appointed
to advise the Undersecretary of Health through the Department of
Veterans Affairs Director of Surgical Service for the cardiac surgery
programs.

Helmets' value still open to debate by some riders - Interview with Dr. Ronald Stewart, trauma medical
director. In 2005, 152 motorcycle crash victims were treated at University Hospital. The first question in Dr.
Stewart's mind is always whether the victim was wearing a helmet.
Read San Antonio
Express-News article

Local study looks at drug used on patients in shock:
(KENS-5) San Antonio's University Hospital is embarking on a unique study. Department of Surgery trauma
doctors want to try a new technique on patients in shock, a drug that
could save some lives.
KENS-5 Video | Read more ...

Congratulations to Howard Tzu Wang, MD, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, who has received a one-year grant from the
ERC for his submission, "Tissue culture of pre-adipocyte precursor for reconstruction of calvarial defects." Dr. Wang's funding
begins July 1, 2006.

Congratulations to Bob Edwards, RN, Surgical Oncology, selected as a
recipient of the 2006 UTHSCSA Employee Excellence in Service Awards for providing excellence in
patient care and service. His performance reflects the quality of care and first rate service
provided by the Division of Surgical Oncology. Mr. Edwards will receive his award from President
Cigarroa on January 19, 2006.

December 2005 Texas Monthly: Texas Super Doctors, chosen by their peers. The list includes
quite a few of our faculty, including Ken Sirinek and Wayne Schwesinger, General Surgery; Glenn Halff,
Transplant; John Calhoon and Scott Johnson, Cardiothoracic Surgery; and Ron Stewart, Trauma Surgery.